Reporter Loses Vanity Fair Credentials After Smiling and Winking During Lindsay Clancy Trial

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — A reporter’s smile and wink toward a live courtroom camera during Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial triggered widespread criticism and prompted Vanity Fair to withdraw her credentials.

Brittany Romano, wearing a green dress, was seated among journalists in the courtroom gallery on Monday when a Court TV camera moved across the press row. While the reporters around her maintained serious expressions, Romano looked toward the camera, grinned and winked.

The moment attracted attention because of the gravity of the case. Jurors are being asked to determine whether Clancy should be convicted of murdering her three children or found not guilty by reason of insanity.

The proceedings have been deeply distressing for those involved. Before the trial began, at least one prospective juror left the courtroom in tears after expressing doubts about being able to cope with the evidence.

Romano explains why she smiled

Romano later said she attended the trial because she “grew up” with Clancy. According to TMZ, she explained that her father had told her she appeared sad on live television, leading her to smile when the camera turned toward her.

The incident nevertheless had professional consequences. On Tuesday, Vanity Fair confirmed that it had ended its involvement with Romano and would no longer move forward with a personal essay about her connection to Clancy.

“We were interested in the prospect of a personal essay by Brittany Romano about her experience growing up with Lindsay Clancy,” the publication said in a statement.

“Yesterday, after clear conflicts with our editorial standards and processes, we informed Romano that we were not moving forward with her essay and informed the court that she is no longer credentialed by Vanity Fair.”

Romano was not seen inside the courtroom on Tuesday. Her name, however, remained on a list posted outside identifying her as a reporter for New York Magazine and Vanity Fair.

Reporter responds to backlash

Romano addressed the controversy in posts shared on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday.

“All for smiling at a camera?! Love it! Tysm for boosting my analytics Xoxoxoxo,” she wrote in one post.

In another, Romano said “these trolls have been absolutely vile.” She alleged that people had launched personal attacks against her and told her to kill herself.

Clancy trial nearing its conclusion

The trial of the 36-year-old Duxbury mother is expected to conclude this week, with witness testimony potentially ending later Tuesday.

Clancy is seeking a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Her defense argues that she was experiencing severe postpartum psychosis and hearing voices when she killed her three children and attempted to take her own life.