Lindsay Clancy's lawyer Kevin Reddington publicly asked President Trump to pardon her on Tuesday, despite Trump having no constitutional authority to wipe away state murder charges. Clancy's trial in Massachusetts ended in a mistrial on Friday after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict on her not guilty by reason of insanity plea. According to legal experts including University of St. Thomas law professor Mark Osler and former Justice Department pardon attorney Elizabeth G.

Oyer, presidential pardons only apply to federal offenses, not state crimes. The governor of Massachusetts would need to grant any state-level clemency. A spokesman for Reddington acknowledged the lawyer 'knows that a president cannot pardon on a state case' but said the request was 'more of a statement to the country that this case deserves mercy.' The lawyer's office hopes Trump might convey mercy to Plymouth County district attorney Timothy J.

Cruz, a fellow Republican. Trump previously issued a symbolic pardon for Tina Peters, a Colorado official convicted in state court, though that had no legal effect without state action.