Final Witness Testifies in Lindsay Clancy Murder Trial

The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is nearing the end of witness testimony, with the prosecution's final witnesses seeking to undercut the postpartum-psychosis defense at the center of the case.

Clancy is charged with killing her three young children. The defense argues she should not be held criminally responsible because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time. The prosecution's psychiatric experts challenged that claim.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Gregory Saathoff testified Tuesday that Clancy told him she began hearing a voice on Jan. 24, 2023, that did not stop until she had strangled the children, and that he had never encountered that pattern before. Saathoff was expected to resume his testimony Wednesday.

Another expert called by the prosecution, Dr. Robert Heilbrun, told jurors Clancy had bipolar disorder and depression that were aggravated by insomnia and adverse reactions to prescribed medication, but concluded she was "criminally responsible" for the killings because she retained awareness that they were illegal. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington pressed the experts on the family's account of Clancy as "an incredible mother."

Following the close of testimony, closing arguments are expected, possibly as early as Thursday, according to the Associated Press. The case has drawn sustained attention because of the intersection of a homicide charge and questions about maternal mental illness.

The Courant is summarizing what the court has heard; the trial is ongoing and a verdict has not been reached. This article does not take a position on Clancy's criminal responsibility, which is for the jury to decide.

Reporting by Michael Casey, The Associated Press. Read the original report: Lindsay Clancy trial: Last witness takes the stand.