LINDSAY CLANCY TRIAL: ‘GREEN DRESS’ REPORTER SPEAKS OUT AFTER DEATH THREATS

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — A freelance journalist who became the focus of a social media firestorm after appearing to smile and wink at a camera during the Lindsay Clancy trial says the backlash has gone far beyond criticism — with Brittany Romano claiming she has received death threats and messages urging her to harm herself.

Romano was seen in a green dress during Monday’s proceedings when a courtroom camera briefly panned across the gallery. The moment quickly went viral, with viewers accusing her of behaving inappropriately during a trial involving the deaths of Clancy’s three children.

ROMANO SAYS THE SMILE WAS A RESPONSE TO ANXIETY

After the video spread online, Romano defended her behavior, saying she has a tendency to smile when she feels anxious or uncomfortable.

She argued that the expression should not be interpreted as evidence that she was indifferent to the seriousness of the proceedings.

Romano has also said she has a personal connection to Clancy, explaining that the two grew up near each other in Connecticut. She said that connection was part of the reason she was covering the trial and had been working on a personal essay about her experience.

THE BACKLASH QUICKLY ESCALATED

What began as criticism over a few seconds of courtroom footage rapidly became a much larger controversy.

Romano says some people sent her messages telling her to harm herself and threatening her life.

She has pushed back against the attacks, arguing that criticism of her courtroom expression should not turn into threats or harassment.

“A smile is not a crime,” Romano wrote while describing the messages she received.

VANITY FAIR ENDED ITS INVOLVEMENT

The controversy also affected Romano’s relationship with Vanity Fair.

The magazine confirmed that it had been considering a personal essay from Romano about growing up with Clancy and her family. Vanity Fair subsequently said it was no longer moving forward with the essay and informed the court that Romano was no longer credentialed by the publication.

Romano has disputed some descriptions of the situation, emphasizing that she was working as a freelance journalist rather than as a traditional Vanity Fair staff reporter.

WHY THE MOMENT ATTRACTED SO MUCH ATTENTION

The reaction was intensified by the extraordinary circumstances of the trial.

Clancy is accused of killing her three children at the family’s Duxbury home in January 2023. Her defense acknowledges that she was responsible for their deaths but argues that she was experiencing severe postpartum psychosis and was therefore not criminally responsible.

Prosecutors have presented a different interpretation of her mental state and have argued that she should be held legally responsible.

The emotionally charged proceedings have attracted intense attention both inside and outside the courtroom.

THE TRIAL IS NOW ENTERING ITS FINAL STAGE

Testimony concluded Wednesday, Aug. 26, and closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday before the jury begins deliberations.

That means the courtroom drama surrounding Romano has emerged at the same time the actual trial is reaching its most consequential moment.

For Romano, however, the controversy has become a separate battle — one she says illustrates how quickly online outrage can turn personal.

As jurors prepare to decide Lindsay Clancy’s fate, the “green dress” controversy has become an unexpected subplot — raising questions about courtroom conduct, social-media outrage and the dangerous line between criticism and harassment.