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Raza SamoSomething about the public reaction to the Lindsay Clancy case feels profoundly disturbing. Clancy admitted killing her three young children, but pleaded not guilty to murder on the grounds that postpartum psychosis left her criminally irresponsible. Her trial ended in a mistrial after one juror, reportedly the only Black member of the panel, refused to join the other eleven in supporting an insanity acquittal. Since then, fellow jurors have publicly criticized his reasoning and behavior, while media reports have exposed details about his personal history despite the court temporarily sealing jurors’ identities. Whatever anyone thinks of his conclusion, jurors must be free to evaluate evidence independently without fearing public humiliation for disagreeing with the majority. Meanwhile, an online fundraiser benefiting Clancy’s parents has collected approximately $1.2 million and raised its target to $3 million. It is therefore inaccurate to say Clancy herself has already received $3 million. Compassion for severe mental illness is necessary, but so are justice for Cora, Dawson and Callan, respect for due process and protection for jurors. When sympathy for an accused parent eclipses three dead children while a dissenting juror becomes the target, something is badly broken.