Additional Coverage:
- Popular Podcaster Admits to ‘Terrible Judgment Call’ After Including Lindsay Clancy Trial in Betting Ad (parade.com)
Amanda Hirsch has issued an apology following controversy sparked by a sponsored social media post related to the Lindsay Clancy trial.
The post, which Hirsch later deleted, appeared shortly after Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial in Clancy’s case on September 4. In the now-removed advertisement, Hirsch referenced Polymarket, a prediction market platform, noting that it had forecast a “Not Guilty” verdict. The post included the hashtag #Polymarketpartner, signaling the sponsorship.
The ad quickly drew criticism from the public, with many expressing outrage over the perceived insensitivity of promoting betting on the outcome of such a tragic case. Comments on social media described the partnership as “insane,” “depraved,” and “shockingly poor judgment,” questioning how such content could coexist with expectations of a fair trial.
In response, Hirsch acknowledged her misstep on Instagram on September 6, admitting that linking the trial to a brand promotion was “completely insensitive” and “out of character.” She explained that her deep emotional involvement in the case led her to lose perspective, resulting in “a terrible judgment call.”
Hirsch expressed remorse, stating, “I feel so awful about that,” and emphasizing that deleting the post did not erase the impact. She characterized her actions as a “lapse in judgment” that does not reflect her true character.
The trial at the center of the controversy involves Lindsay Clancy, 36, who pleaded guilty to the deaths of her three young children-5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan-in their Duxbury, Massachusetts home earlier this year. Clancy’s defense argued that postpartum psychosis rendered her not criminally responsible, while prosecutors maintained that despite her mental illness, Clancy understood her actions and could distinguish right from wrong.
With jurors unable to reach a unanimous decision and reporting repeated deadlocks, the judge declared a mistrial. Whether Clancy will face a new trial remains uncertain, with the next court appearance scheduled for September 29.