DeSantis: ‘Florida will provide asylum’ to holdout juror in Lindsay Clancy case

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday offered to shelter the lone holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, saying "Florida will provide asylum" and criticizing media coverage of the juror. His remarks came after a published report disclosed that the juror had an alleged history of domestic violence and was subject to an active restraining order. The juror, who served as the sole holdout in deliberations in the Clancy case, became the focus of widespread attention once those allegations were reported. DeSantis accused news outlets of running a smear campaign against the individual following the disclosures. By making a public offer of asylum and directly attacking media reporting, the governor inserted himself into a developing controversy surrounding both a high-profile criminal proceeding and the privacy and safety of a juror. The statement reflects growing tensions when jurors attract public scrutiny during major trials. Details about the jurors past and the restraining order were central to the report that prompted DeSantiss response; beyond his accusation of a smear campaign and the pledge of asylum, officials have not been reported to have taken additional public steps in the matter.