This video can not be played

The judge in the trial of Lindsay Clancy, the US mother accused of murdering her three children, has officially declared a mistrial in the case. It comes after Judge William Sullivan denied the defence team's emergency appeal asking the the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to intervene.

The BBC's Ione Wells explains what a mistrial is as the case ends in no verdict.

Read more

Watch: What is a mistrial and what does it mean for Lindsay Clancy? Video, 00:01:45Watch: What is a mistrial and what does it mean for Lindsay Clancy?

Up Next. Watch: Jury still unable to reach unanimous decision in Lindsay Clancy case. Video, 00:01:15Watch: Jury still unable to reach unanimous decision in Lindsay Clancy case

Watch: Defence calls for one juror to be dismissed in Lindsay Clancy case. Video, 00:01:11Watch: Defence calls for one juror to be dismissed in Lindsay Clancy case

BBC at the Clancy trial. What happens next? Video, 00:00:54BBC at the Clancy trial. What happens next?

'A rare moment of joy': Nepal tunnel rescues bring hope for more flood survivors. Video, 00:01:10'A rare moment of joy': Nepal tunnel rescues bring hope for more flood survivors

'We expect our sons to be killed,' father of teen shot dead in West Bank tells BBC. Video, 00:01:29'We expect our sons to be killed,' father of teen shot dead in West Bank tells BBC

Watch: Moment workers are rescued from Nepal tunnel. Video, 00:00:39Watch: Moment workers are rescued from Nepal tunnel

Nepal says it will need billions in funding to rebuild after flash floods. Video, 00:00:48Nepal says it will need billions in funding to rebuild after flash floods

Mason: 'Not what Farage wanted today to look like' Video, 00:00:58Mason: 'Not what Farage wanted today to look like'

Could robots be the future of theme parks? Video, 00:01:12Could robots be the future of theme parks?

Watch: Inside court as Lindsay Clancy's lawyer asks judge to remove juror. Video, 00:01:14Watch: Inside court as Lindsay Clancy's lawyer asks judge to remove juror

Watch: Gloria Steinem dedicated her life to fight for women's equality. Video, 00:01:25Watch: Gloria Steinem dedicated her life to fight for women's equality

BBC witnesses 'taxi boat' picking up migrants multiple times in a day. Video, 00:01:41BBC witnesses 'taxi boat' picking up migrants multiple times in a day

Trump 'happy' that Prince Harry and Meghan left the US. Video, 00:00:49Trump 'happy' that Prince Harry and Meghan left the US

What famous scenes are in the epic Bayeux Tapestry? Video, 00:01:14What famous scenes are in the epic Bayeux Tapestry?

'Nothing but mud and silt' - the village swept away by deadly floods in Nepal. Video, 00:01:31'Nothing but mud and silt' - the village swept away by deadly floods in Nepal

'It's hard to balance emotions and professionalism' says Nepal rescuer. Video, 00:01:29'It's hard to balance emotions and professionalism' says Nepal rescuer

Cup noodles made with cold water? BBC tries Japan's viral snack. Video, 00:01:11Cup noodles made with cold water? BBC tries Japan's viral snack