MASSACHUSETTS — Jurors deliberating in the Lindsay Clancy case were sent home Monday after reporting they remained deadlocked, leading courthouse observers to ask the obvious question:

Have we considered that these people simply discovered jury duty has catering?

The panel is scheduled to return Wednesday, giving members another opportunity to carefully weigh the evidence, study the law, and determine whether tomorrow’s lunch is sandwiches or the good chicken wraps.

After weeks of testimony, the jury reportedly reached the judicial equivalent of:

“We’re gonna need another night to sleep on it. Also, what time does Panera get here?”

Court officials stressed that jury deliberations are serious business and that nobody should interpret the stalemate as jurors milking their civic duty for the glamorous compensation package.

Which, depending on Massachusetts jury-pay rules, may approximately cover:

one coffee and the emotional damage of downtown parking.

Still, the arrangement has advantages.

Normal employment involves emails, meetings, deadlines, and somebody named Greg asking whether you “saw his last message.”

Jury duty?

Sit in an air-conditioned courthouse, discuss evidence, get called “Juror Number Seven,” and occasionally receive a cookie.

By Friday, half the panel may be updating LinkedIn:

Senior Deliberation Specialist — Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Sources say the deadlock became especially suspicious when one juror allegedly asked:

“Before we take another vote, does anyone know whether Thursday is taco day?”

Another reportedly reminded colleagues that reaching a verdict would mean returning to their actual jobs.

The room immediately went silent.

Legal analysts say hung juries happen because reasonable people can genuinely disagree over difficult evidence and legal standards.

Sure.

But this stray cat has spent enough time behind restaurants to recognize behavior motivated by complimentary food.

If the courthouse announces unlimited shrimp, this case could run until Christmas.

The Canton Cat’s prediction: Wednesday morning, twelve jurors arrive refreshed, focused, determined to reach a verdict—

right after checking what’s for lunch.