Heartbreaking Lindsay Clancy trial comes down to one question over deaths of three children

Heartbreaking Lindsay Clancy trial comes down to one question over deaths of three children After nearly a month of testimony, jurors in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial are set to hear from the final witnesses in a case that has largely been about her mental state when she strangled her three young children - Bookmark Jurors in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial are expected to hear from the final witnesses Tuesday after nearly a month of testimony centered on her mental state when she killed her three young children. The trial will resume with defense attorney Kevin Reddington questioning forensic psychologist Kirk Heilbrun, a prosecution expert who testified Monday that he did not believe Clancy was experiencing acute psychosis when she killed Callan, Dawson and Cora Clancy at their Massachusetts home in January 2023. Heilbrun disputed Clancy’s account that she experienced a command hallucination telling her to kill the children. He testified that such an isolated hallucination, occurring only during the period in which the children were killed, would be “very, very unusual.” Heilbrun concluded that Clancy was mentally ill and diagnosed her with bipolar 2 disorder, but said he believed she understood that her actions were wrong. His testimony followed that of forensic psychiatrist Dr. Avram Mack, another prosecution expert, who said Friday that he found no evidence of psychosis, mania or hypomania leading up to the killings. Mack testified that Clancy was severely mentally ill but remained capable of controlling her impulses and distinguishing right from wrong. The defense has presented a sharply different picture. Reddington does not dispute that Clancy killed her children but argues she should not be held criminally responsible because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis, a rare and severe psychiatric condition that can occur after childbirth. Defense expert Dr. Phillip Resnick, a forensic psychiatrist who specializes in cases involving parents who kill their children, testified that Clancy was “clearly psychotic” and unable to control her actions. Psychologist Paul Zeizel similarly testified that Clancy “had no appreciation for the wrongfulness of her act.” Jurors have heard that Clancy sought help from multiple mental health providers in the months before the killings and voluntarily admitted herself to a psychiatric hospital. Prosecutors argue that the former labor and delivery nurse planned the killings, pointing to evidence that she sent her husband out to pick up medicine and food before the children were killed. Clancy, now 36, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of Callan, Dawson and Cora, who ranged in age from 8 months to 5 years. Prosecutors are expected to call at least one more expert after Heilbrun’s testimony concludes. Closing arguments could begin as early as Wednesday, putting the closely watched case in the jury’s hands later this week. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.