Mistrial declared in Lindsay Clancy murder case, after jury deadlocks

Warning: This story contains distressing details and discussion of attempted suicide

A Massachusetts judge has declared a mistrial in the murder case against Lindsay Clancy after jurors, who deliberated for about a week, conceded they would not be able to unanimously decide whether she should be held criminally liable for killing her three young children.

The case against Clancy has both captivated and heavily divided the American public, even spurring remarks from the US president.

There was a sense of disbelief in the courtroom as the case - and Clancy's future - are now left in limbo.

Clancy's lawyer led a dramatic last-ditch attempt to halt the mistrial and force a verdict, which was unsuccessful. A hearing later this month could establish what happens next in the case.

What happens next after Lindsay Clancy's murder case ends in a mistrial?

Key moments from Lindsay Clancy's trial over children's killings

"At this point, I'm going to declare that the jury is deadlocked, and I'm going to declare a mistrial," Judge Sullivan told the jury on Friday, dismissing them after weeks of testimony, nearly a week mulling Clancy's fate and the panel signalling three times that they were deadlocked.