Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Mother-in-Law Testifies Lindsay Clancy Was Begging for Help
Lindsay Clancy is on trial for killing her three children in January 2023.
She has admitted that she carried out the killings but says she was extremely mentally ill at the time.
Her lawyers say she had postpartum psychosis, a serious illness that can happen after having a baby.
They say she experienced hallucinations and false beliefs.
Prosecutors say she deliberately killed the children.
Family members told the court that Clancy had insomnia, sadness, anxiety and thoughts of harming herself or the children.
They also said she repeatedly wanted help and medical treatment.
Clancy survived a fall from a second-floor window and now uses a wheelchair.
Susan Clancy testified that Lindsay Clancy was anxious, sad, sleep-deprived and losing her appetite before the children’s deaths.
The defense says Clancy was experiencing postpartum psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions, after giving birth to her youngest child.
Clancy acknowledges carrying out the killings but has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors allege Clancy intentionally strangled Cora, Dawson and Callan with fitness bands at their Massachusetts home in January 2023.
Family members testified that Clancy reported thoughts of harming the children, suicidal thoughts and a desire to obtain psychiatric help before the killings.
- Who
- Lindsay Clancy, her three children, family witnesses, prosecutors and defense lawyers.
- What
- Clancy is on trial for three counts of first-degree murder after the deaths of her children; she does not dispute carrying out the killings but pleads not guilty.
- When
- The killings occurred in January 2023; Susan Clancy testified on Tuesday after about three weeks of prosecution testimony.
- Where
- The children were killed at the family’s home in Massachusetts.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege intentional killings, while the defense says Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis and related hallucinations and delusions.
Defense
Prosecution
Mental state
Defense
Clancy’s lawyers say postpartum psychosis caused hallucinations and delusions and impaired her mental state when the children died.
Prosecution
Prosecutors allege Clancy deliberately killed the children in a calculated decision.
Warnings and treatment
Defense
Family testimony supports the defense account that Clancy was begging for help, seeking doctors and receiving psychiatric treatment before the killings.
Prosecution
The prosecution has presented testimony over three weeks before resting its case; it alleges the killings were intentional despite the reported mental-health problems.
Criminal responsibility
Defense
Clancy acknowledges carrying out the killings but has pleaded not guilty, relying on the claim that postpartum psychosis affected her responsibility.
Prosecution
Clancy faces three first-degree murder charges based on the allegation that she intentionally strangled her children.
- Defendant
- Lindsay Clancy, now 36, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder.
- Children
- Cora was five, Dawson was three and Callan was eight months old when they died.
- Prosecution allegation
- Prosecutors allege Clancy strangled the children with fitness bands.
- Defense argument
- The defense says Clancy experienced postpartum psychosis, hallucinations and delusions after Callan’s birth.
- Family testimony
- Susan Clancy described Clancy as anxious, sad, sleep-deprived and eager to obtain help.
- Prior warnings
- Paula Musgrove testified that Clancy reported thoughts of harming the children about a month before the killings.
- Current condition
- Clancy was paralysed after jumping from a second-floor window and has attended the trial in a wheelchair.