Add The New York Post on Google Megyn Kelly ripped George Stephanopoulos for failing to press Lindsay Clancy’s lawyer after he made a “bizarre” plea for President Trump to pardon his client following a mistrial in the Massachusetts murder case.
Kelly tore into the ABC News anchor after attorney Kevin Reddington appeared on “Good Morning America” and appealed directly to Trump on behalf of Clancy, who was charged under state law with killing her three children.
“Perhaps Donald Trump, who felt compelled to speak out about this case, may very well — Mr. President, I would hope that you would consider this young lady, the type of person she is, what she’s been through, and consider a pardon,” Reddington told Stephanopoulos.
Stephanopoulos ended the interview without challenging Reddington on the pardon request, prompting an incredulous reaction from Kelly.
“It would have been nice if George Stephanopoulos would have asked him one follow-up question, which is: Why would you be asking for a pardon when your client is charged with a state crime, something for which the president cannot pardon her?” Kelly said.
“What do you mean a pardon? Your client’s been charged under state laws. President Trump can’t pardon that,” she added.
Kelly suggested the omission could have been a product of the tight time constraints of network morning television, but said the interview lasted long enough for Stephanopoulos to seek clarification.
“God forbid you blow a break or you actually just take the time that’s necessary to clarify what in God’s name your guest is talking about,” Kelly said.
“Instead, you just leave everyone confused.”
Kelly also blasted Stephanopoulos for failing to challenge Reddington over his criticism of the lone holdout juror after seven days of deliberations ended without a unanimous verdict.
Reddington told Stephanopoulos he respected the juror’s right to hold out but said he was upset because, according to a note from the forelady, the juror “had doubt but he would not apply the law of reasonable doubt as presented by the judge.”
Kelly accused Reddington of making a baseless attack on a juror who had spent nearly two months on the case — and again faulted Stephanopoulos for failing to push back.
“Wouldn’t it have been nice if we had a competent journalist sitting across from Reddington” to challenge him, Kelly said.
Reddington also told Stephanopoulos he was willing to listen to Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz about a possible plea agreement rather than another trial.
“I hope however, after sitting through this trial and seeing the evidence that was presented from the government as well as from the defense, that he would revisit that issue,” Reddington said.
The Post has sought comment from ABC News and Reddington.
