Live updates: Judge in Lindsay Clancy trial declares mistrial - CNN

In a dramatic conclusion to a trial that gripped the nation and sparked passionate debate, a Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial Friday in the case of Lindsay Clancy, the former nurse accused of murdering her three children.

Following about 38 hours of deliberations over the span of seven days, not including weeks-long trial proceedings, a deadlocked jury said — again — it was unable to come to a unanimous verdict.

Here’s a breakdown of what happened in court:

On Friday morning, Judge Sullivan heard arguments on how to handle the jury notes sent at the end of Thursday’s deliberations. The prosecution suggested jurors be instructed to keep deliberating. The defense argued the holdout “ lied ” to the judge about their ability to follow the law.

The judge denied defense lawyer Kevin Reddington’s request to question the holdout juror further, saying there is no indication he refused to deliberate.

Sullivan then instructed the jury to keep deliberating. Several female jurors nodded enthusiastically as the judge read them the instructions.

Sometime later, the jury again indicated they were deadlocked. Jury notes indicated the 12-person jury, made up of nine women and three men, was split 11 to 1.

Judge Sullivan said he intended to declare a mistrial, but first granted the defense one hour to file an emergency appeal.

In its appeal, the defense asked the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to order the trial court to further question a holdout juror or remove the juror from the jury. The filing states the juror is “ biased ” and refusing to follow the court’s instructions on reasonable doubt, citing jury notes to the court.

The Supreme Judicial Court held a hearing in response to the filing, and the request was denied, Sullivan said in court. The judge then declared a mistrial.

Sullivan set a status hearing for September 29, and Clancy’s defense team could ask the court to declare her not guilty. Next steps in the case could include a possible plea or a potential new trial.

Clancy will be taken back to Tewksbury Hospital and continue to stay there in the wake of her mistrial. Clancy is also suing her doctors and medical providers in a separate civil case.

Outside the courthouse, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said the prosecution’s case has “always been about getting justice for those three little babies” and that it is “not about a healthcare system.” Prosecutors will decide whether to retry the case against Clancy at a future court hearing, Cruz said. Some angry bystanders shouted at Cruz while he spoke.

During his turn at the podium, Reddington declared he “ won the case ” and said the prosecution “was crushed.” He criticized the holdout juror, whom he said “ robbed ” the other jurors. Reddington praised Clancy as someone who is a “wonderful individual” and said that he believes what she endured during the trial is “ not right.”

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said he’s been tracking the trial of Lindsay Clancy, calling it a “horrible tragedy” and “terrible situation.” The president said that Clancy will have to pay “a price.”

CNN’s Rebekah Riess, Eric Levenson, Lauren del Valle, Nicki Brown, Dakin Andone, Elizabeth Wolfe, Ray Sanchez, Isa Mudannayake and Betsy Klein contributed reporting.