Lindsay Clancy's lawyer asks judge to investigate juror and check his phone

Image source, Reuters Image caption, Lindsay Clancy attorney Kevin Reddington made several attempts to convince the judge not to declare a mistrial

The defence lawyer for a Massachusetts mother accused of murdering her three children has asked a judge to investigate a juror in the case.

The proceedings against Lindsay Clancy ended in a mistrial and acrimony this month after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Her attorney, Kevin Reddington, wants the court to probe mobile phone use by "Juror Doe" during deliberations as well as a questionnaire he filled out.

A lawyer for Michael Desronvil, the lone juror who wanted to find Clancy guilty, said the latest defence motion was a "Looney Tunes" attack on his client for doing his civic duty. Desronvil has said there was "enough proof that she [Clancy] knew exactly what she was doing".