Jury deadlocked after five days in Clancy murder trial verdict
Deadlocked jury receives judicial instruction; mistrial possible if impasse continues.
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Maternal Infanticide Cases Media Impact
High-profile infanticide cases and their connection to maternal mental health crises, including the Lindsay Clancy trial and related incidents involving mothers experiencing psychotic episodes.
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40 articles0 articles
2026-08-22 to 2026-11-08 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Aug, 03:22 UTC
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What happened
Lindsay Clancy pleads not guilty to murdering three children in Massachusetts
Lindsay Clancy, 36, pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of her three children—Callan (8 months), Dawson (3 years), and Cora (5 years)—who were strangled in January 2023 at the family home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. After strangling the children, Clancy jumped from a second-story window and is now paralyzed from the waist down.
Forensic psychiatrist testifies Clancy was 'clearly psychotic' on day of killings
Dr. Phillip Resnick, a forensic psychiatrist and expert in filicide, testified for the defense that Clancy was 'clearly psychotic' on the day she killed her children and was not in control of her actions. Resnick, who also testified in the 2006 Andrea Yates trial, stated that Clancy suffered severe depression, showed evidence of bipolar disorder, and reported hearing a voice commanding her to kill the children. He testified that Clancy believed her children would be better off dying with her and going to heaven.
Defense rests in Lindsay Clancy trial arguing postpartum psychosis defense
The defense rested its case on Friday (August 21, 2026) in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial after presenting testimony about her mental state. The defense argues that Clancy should not be held criminally responsible because she suffered from postpartum psychosis, a rare mental illness linked to stress, sleep deprivation, and hormonal changes following childbirth.
Postpartum psychosis occurs in approximately 1-2 per 1,000 mothers after childbirth
Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness occurring in approximately one to two per 1,000 mothers after giving birth. Symptoms include rapid mood swings, depersonalization, insomnia, paranoia, and thoughts of self-harm or harming others. The condition is considered an emergency requiring immediate care and is treatable, though experts say more research is needed to improve understanding, prevention, and treatment.
Prosecution presents rebuttal witness in Clancy trial; closing arguments expected next week
After the defense rested, prosecutors began calling rebuttal witnesses in the trial. Closing arguments are expected the following week. Prosecutors argue that Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse, planned the killings.
Prosecution psychiatrist testifies Clancy showed no evidence of psychosis before killings
Dr. Avram Mack, a forensic psychiatrist called as a rebuttal witness for the prosecution, testified that while Clancy suffered a major depressive episode, there was no evidence of mania, hypomania, or psychosis leading up to the killings. Mack testified that Clancy experienced severe mental illness at the time but that it was a continuation of depression lasting months during which she retained the ability to control impulses and distinguish right from wrong.
Lindsay Clancy sought psychiatric treatment in September 2022 for anxiety
In September 2022, Lindsay Clancy sought care for anxiety and was prescribed an antidepressant. When her anxiety did not improve, her prescriber advised doubling the dose. Clancy was later admitted to a psychiatric facility after experiencing suicidal thoughts and confiding to her husband that she had intrusive thoughts about harming her children.
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2 alternative perspectives
Woman charged with murdering three children in Massachusetts home
Woman charged with murdering three children disputes criminal responsibility based on postpartum psychosis defense.
Jury deadlocks after nearly 18 hours deliberating Clancy verdict
Jury deadlocks after 18 hours deliberating Clancy criminal responsibility in murder trial.
Trial evidence: 85 witnesses, 200 pieces examined in responsibility dispute
Trial evidence from 85 witnesses examined whether Clancy's admitted killings constituted criminal responsibility or psychotic incapacity.
Jury deadlocked after four days in Clancy murder trial verdict decision
Jury deadlocked in Clancy trial after four days; judge may issue verdict instructions if impasse continues.
Strangulation deaths of three children examined in trial details
Three children were strangled with exercise cords in Duxbury, Massachusetts in January 2023.
Jury enters third day of deliberations in Clancy verdict uncertainty
Jury enters third day deliberating whether Clancy knew right from wrong despite admitted killings.
Healthcare failures preceded Clancy killings, experts reveal
Healthcare system failures including uncoordinated medication management and denied admission contributed to Clancy's crisis.
Jury begins deliberating Clancy's criminal responsibility in murder trial
Jury begins deliberating whether Clancy's postpartum psychosis eliminated her criminal responsibility for the killings.
Mental health experts divided on Clancy's psychotic state during trial
Psychiatric experts fundamentally disagreed on Clancy's mental state during the trial.
Jury begins deliberations in Clancy murder trial criminal responsibility case
Jury deliberates whether postpartum psychosis eliminated Clancy's criminal responsibility for admitted killings.
Clancy enters not guilty plea citing postpartum psychosis defense
Clancy pleads not guilty, claiming postpartum psychosis eliminated her criminal responsibility for admitted killings.