LIVE UPDATES: Day 8 – Lindsay Clancy’s friends and father-in-law testify she was a good and nurturing mother
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Grace Wong, Courtroom Insider
Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial is underway in Massachusetts. The 35-year-old woman is charged with three counts of murder for the strangling deaths of her three children, ages 5, 3, and 8 months old. Clancy is present in the courtroom, bound to a wheelchair after she was paralyzed by injuries she sustained when she jumped from her home’s second-story window in an alleged suicide attempt. Her defense lawyer claims she was insane at the time, suffering from postpartum psychosis, and could not appreciate the wrongfulness of her actions. We are posting live updates from the courtroom here. Time notes are Eastern Daylight Time. Please forgive typos.
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3:10 p.m. Defense Attorney Kevin Reddington argues that he should be able to call three experts — a psychiatrist, a pathologist and an ER doctor — to counter the Commonwealth’s witnesses who will testify about the care that Lindsay received. Prosecutors are opposed to the testimony, arguing that these experts are late disclosures and they have not had time to properly prepare for cross-examination. Judge suggests he’s inclined to allow defense witness to testify that, in his opinion, Lindsay landed on her head. He is not inclined to allow a defense expert to opine that Lindsay’s injuries were a suicide attempt. He will issue a final ruling on defense witnesses in the morning. Court is in recess till 9 a.m. on Friday.
2:45 p.m. Court is in recess until 3 p.m. Court will return to hear defense motion to call certain witnesses.
2:43 p.m. Judge is excusing the jury for the rest of the afternoon. He tells the jury he has something to discuss with the lawyers, but assures them they are on schedule — if not ahead of schedule.
2:27 p.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 56: Andrew Chiachio, Massachusetts State Police. Chiachio says he was tasked with going to the CVS Pharmacy in Kingston to obtain surveillance video. Noted video shows Patrick Clancy arrive at 17:32 and exit the store at 17:38. Obtained surveillance video from 3V. Interviewed Lindsay’s mother and the manager of CVS. Applied for a search warrant in June after noticing blood stains on the outside of the house in photos. Had swabs and shingles collected from the Clancy home. Chiachio says on May 15, 2024, he went to the state hospital to collect DNA from Lindsay. Also obtained data from Facebook page of Lindsay Marie Clancy. Found page titled “Parenting for Littles” and a post there authored by Lindsay. Post says: Looking for some advice, solidarity, truly finding my 19-month-old to be the most difficult. Frustrated with him. Every single thing with him is a battle. Has been this way for awhile. Everything from getting out of crib, changing a diaper, getting him in car seat, getting out of car seat, going to sleep. He fights me every step of the way. I feel I have to force him, fights me doing all these normal things. Post is entered as Exhibit 217.
Defense Cross: Verifies post was made in May of 2021, and says son was 19 months old. Verifies Chiachio did not find anything to suggest Lindsay was abusive toward her son Dawson.
2:19 p.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 55: Kyle Carney, friend of Patrick Clancy. Carney says he saw Patrick and his family every other month. After Callan was born, he says they had beach dinners, gatherings about once a month. Describes Lindsay’s typical demeanor as “kind, caring.” Says he saw no changes in her behavior after the birth of Cora and Dawson. From the fall of 2022 through the beginning of 2023, Carney says he saw Patrick about once a month. On Jan. 22, 2023, he says the Clancy family visited him — Callan was home with Lindsay’s parents. He invited them to come over to enjoy a nice day. Lindsay’s demeanor was quieter than normal. He had a conversation with Lindsay in the kitchen; her behavior and demeanor appeared normal. (No cross by defense)
2:19 p.m. Court is back in session.
12:51 p.m. Court will be in recess till 2 p.m. EDT.
12:47 p.m. Christopher: I knew she was having a hard time sleeping. She went to the emergency room. Reddington: Did Lindsay confide to your wife? Christopher: Yes. Reddington: Did your wife refer her to someone? Christopher: Yes. Reddington: The two of you (you and Lindsay) — you had a good relationship? Christopher: Very good. We were asked to come to dinner that night (of the birthday party), but we had other plans. Reddington: You were asked about Dawson — was Lindsay being abusive with Dawson? Christopher: No. Reddington: The in-laws and her parents, you were all pulling together to try and help this young couple. Christopher: Yes. Reddington: Your son was very concerned about his wife? Christopher: Yes. Reddington: He confided in you? Christopher: Yes.
12:43 p.m. Defense Cross: Reddington: What is your opinion as to how Lindsay was as a mother? Christopher: “She was very good — she fed them great, did a lot of things with them. They were the all-American family.” Defense: Can you tell me what the struggles were? (Prosecution asks for sidebar.)
12:30 p.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 54: Christopher W. Clancy, Lindsay’s father-in-law: Christopher says he met Lindsay before she married Patrick. Observed Lindsay’s interaction with Callan, says “she was very mothering.” Prosecutor: Was she protective? Christopher: “Yes, like any mother would be. She was protective of him.” Says he and Lindsay visited around Thanksgiving 2022. Prosecutor: Her demeanor? Christopher: “She seemed quiet.” She was close with my daughters, her sisters-in-law. Prosecutor: At dinner, did Lindsay interact with Dawson? Christopher: “She was getting frustrated with Dawson, so I got up to help her.” She took him by the arm and guided him to his chair. Christopher recalls visiting Patrick and Lindsay at her home in December. Lindsay’s parents were at the house. Says he knew Lindsay had struggles. Stopped by the night before Christmas. Lindsay’s demeanor was “OK.” She was in good spirits. They made plans to go to Mass. Stopped at Lindsay’s house before going to Mass. “Lindsay looked beautiful,” he recalls. Children were well-behaved. Says he had a conversation with Lindsay outside the church, and Lindsay said she was happy she went to Mass.
Prosecutor: Did you go to Cora’s birthday party? Christopher: No. Prosecutor: Did you have plans to see them on Jan. 24, 2023? Christopher: No. Says he was invited to go to the house, but they had other plans. Says he was aware of Lindsay’s struggles and offered Patrick that he and his wife could take the kids, but Patrick declined. Says at times he noticed Lindsay seemed quiet and nervous. Recalls that on Jan. 24, 2023, he received a call from Patrick about the deaths and “It was terrible.” Says he and his wife went to the hospital to be with Patrick.
12:09 p.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 53: Amy Bevins, childhood friend of Lindsay Clancy. Bevins says she stayed in touch with Lindsay through nursing school. Does not recall if Lindsay struggled with anxiety or was taking medication during nursing school. Texted frequently with Lindsay, they maintained regular communication all the way through Jan. 2023. Describes Lindsay as calm and nice. Prosecutor: Was Lindsay consistent with her behavior and speech patterns? Bevins: Yes. Bevans says Dawson’s delivery was more difficult than Cora’s delivery. Her behavior at the time did not raise any concerns. Saw Lindsay in Connecticut in November 2023 when they got together as a group for breakfast. Did not note anything atypical about her behavior. Texted with Lindsay a few days before the children were killed. Lindsay shared that medication caused her to have dark thoughts, and she was being weaned off. Says the tone of conversation was hopeful and moving toward a positive direction. Lindsay did not tell her that she was having thoughts about harming her children or herself.
Bevins says she visited Lindsay in March 2023. Made small talk and played Uno. I remember her asking about my daughter, any updates about our friends, we talked about hobbies and played a game. Lindsay did not mention her children and did not break down about her children. Her affect was “neutral.” Did not talk about the children.
Defense Cross: Their friendship goes back 29 years. Bevins: “I knew her as a good person, good friend and good mom.” I never saw anything out of the ordinary. Reddington: Did you ask her why she was in the wheelchair? Bevins: No. Reddington: You knew she had killed her children? Bevins: Yes, it was awkward. It would be for anyone. I was told not to bring that up. I figured that was the recommendation of her health providers. Bevins says visit was 30 to 45 minutes. Reddington: You were questioned by state police in January of 2023? Bevins: Don’t remember when we had the conversation, but recall having a conversation about her experience with Lexapro. Reddington: When she told you she was having problems with the medications and having dark thoughts? Bevins: Toward the end of January.
12:06 p.m. Court is back in session; attorneys are at sidebar
11:33 a.m. Court is in a recess
11:17 a.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 52 Bethany Decollibus, friend of Lindsay Clancy. Decollibus says she works as a marriage and family therapist. Met Lindsay when they were both new moms in Duxbury. Kids were involved in similar activities; saw Lindsay weekly. Lindsay’s typical behavior was active, engaged, friendly. Did not notice any changes in behavior, but observed that Lindsay was more tired after Callan’s birth. For a period of time, her sleep troubles seemed normal. Over time became more concerned about her since it wasn’t improving. Lindsay shared with her that she was seeking therapy and help from doctors. Says Lindsay told her she found a therapist to work with. Lindsay did not tell her that she had suicidal thoughts.
Decollibus says she had dinner with Lindsay and Erin in November 2022 and asked her about her sleep. Her responses made sense. She did not mention suicidal or homicidal thoughts. She was engaged and hopeful that things would get better, but did say she was anxious. Decollibus attended Cora’s birthday party in January. Asked Lindsay about her sleep issues. Lindsay said things hadn’t gotten better and she felt like a zombie. She appeared tired. She was able to engage with the children and other parents at the party.
Defense Cross: Decollibus says she did not probe Lindsay about symptoms, but Lindsay did say she was having difficulties. Says Lindsay loved her kids; she was warm, loving. Agreed that she was not a complainer. Lindsay did not complain about Patrick, says she was concerned about Lindsay’s difficulties with sleep. Says Lindsay loved her job as a nurse.
11:08 a.m. Defense Cross: Hennigan says she and Lindsay had been friends since Lindsay graduated from nursing school. Lindsay loved being a nurse and was excellent at it. It was a second degree for her. Reddington: You could tell she cared so deeply about caring for pregnant women? Hennigan: She was very attentive to all her patients’ need, mostly incredibly nurturing and caring. Reddington: In the fall of 2022 and into 2023, you stayed in contact? Hennigan: Yes. Reddington: On one of the lunches in the fall of 2022, Lindsay she said she was going through a difficult state. Hennigan: She definitely used those words. She definitely said she was in a difficult mental state and couldn’t go back to work.
They talked about therapy, and even went to the ER. She did not elaborate on the side effects. Worked the night shift with Lindsay. Saw her access her phone to check on her children. From the time I met her, she very much desired children, she wanted a family.
10:57 a.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 51 Andrea Hennigan, labor and delivery nurse, Massachusetts General Hospital. Hennigan says she worked with Lindsay Clancy for 7 years in the labor and delivery unit. Socialized with her occasionally outside of work. After Lindsay gave birth to Callan in May of 2022, Hennigan saw her twice — in June and November. Sent her text messages. In June, she brought some lunch to Lindsay, who seemed “very good.” They visited for 2 hours. Met Lindsay in November for lunch. Lindsay said she was feeling that she wasn’t ready to go back to work and take care of patients. Lindsay talked about insomnia and not feeling herself, mentioned “brain fog.” They had no difficulty understanding each other.
Hennigan: We were all encouraging her to get the help that she needed, including therapists and medication. Prosecutor: Did she talk about medication that would help her with sleep and anxiety? Hennigan: We talked about her meeting with a therapist briefly. Hennigan says she did not have concerns that Lindsay would harm herself or her children. Consulted a friend who had challenges after a miscarriage and sent some names of professionals to Lindsay. Received messages from Lindsay on Jan. 2, 2023, asked her about the holidays and wanted to get together. Lindsay told her she was in “an intense program” and could not get together. Sent Lindsay a text message on Jan. 23, 2023, asking her how she was. She said she was “no longer in the program,” that she was continuing work with a psychiatrist and that she was having bad reaction to some medication. Lindsay was always hopeful; her tone was consistent with other exchanges.
10:48 a.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 50: Stephanie Williams, pre-K teacher, Learning Sprouts: Williams says she taught the “Sweet Pea” class, which was more recreational than activities in the “Sunflower” room. She says the afternoon class would go until 4 p.m., when they were picked up by parents. Taught Cora when she was 3 years old, and was in her classroom again from Sept. 2022 to Jan. 2023. Cora was a sweet girl who loved her little brother, loved to draw, loved princess Sophia. On Jan. 23, 2023, Cora was not feeling that well. She said her “tummy hurt.” When Lindsay picked her up, Williams says she informed her that Cora wasn’t feeling well and she was still on her cot. Says Lindsay came in, picked Cora up from the cot and said, “Baby, let’s pick up Dawson and go home.” Williams says Lindsay “was a loving mother who cared about her children.” Did not share anything different about Lindsay.
(No cross by defense)
10:38 a.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 49: Susan Bertolo, preschool teacher, formerly with Learning Sprouts. Bertolo says she taught 3- to 5-year-olds. Taught Cora Clancy in September 2022. Attended for 3 days a week. Both parents dropped off, recall seeing Patrick more. Cora was “amazing” and ready for kindergarten. Don’t recall who dropped her off on Jan. 23, 2023. Bertolo says Cora needed to use the bathroom more than normal that day. At pick up time, she saw Lindsay and told her Cora needed to go to the bathroom more often. Lindsay said Cora had a doctor’s appointment the next day. Recalls that Cora told her that her mom was in the hospital and she missed her. (No cross by defense)
10:32 a.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 48: Susan Fraone, preschool/daycare teacher: Fraone says she taught Dawson and Cora when they attended Learning Sprouts. Taught Dawson from September to November 2022. He started having harder drop-offs in mid-October. Sometimes better than others. Susan Fraone says she had conversation with Lindsay around Thanksgiving 2022. Lindsay’s demeanor was “fine.” Lindsay didn’t talk about not feeling well or suffering from insomnia.
Defense Cross: Had difficult drop-offs occasionally. Fraone says, at some point, she didn’t see Lindsay at drop-offs as much as Patrick. Children appeared healthy and well.
10:14 a.m. Commonwealth Witness No. 47: Dr. Lindsay Rosshirt, lead pediatrician for Clancy children. Rosshirt says she started seeing the Clancy family in 2019. Can’t remember if Lindsay talked to her about Callan having trouble taking a bottle. Callan had no health issues. Dawson had a peanut allergy. Does not remember seeing symptoms of postpartum depression when she interacted with Lindsay. She saw Cora on Jan. 24, 2023, for a 5-year well check visit. Recalls it was a normal visit. Cora seemed perfectly normal. Mom’s behavior was “appropriate.” Lindsay did not have tears or flat affect. Cora had stomach aches. Rosshirt: We talked about belly pain Cora was having. Constipation is common in this age group. I recommended Miralax and seeing her again in 2 weeks.
Defense Cross: Saw the kids from 2019 to 2023, noted that Lindsay and Patrick came together for one of Cora’s checkups. Every other visit was always Lindsay. Clancy kids appeared healthy and happy. Attorney Kevin Reddington: Did Lindsay ever complain about the children? Rosshirt: Not that I remember. Reddington: Did Patrick or Lindsay indicate that in October she was seeing a psychiatrist? Rosshirt: No. Did not know she was prescribed medication. “I always thought she was a good mom.”
10:13 a.m. Court is back in session after a break. Lindsay returns to the courtroom with glasses on and has regained her composure.
9:44 a.m. Springer says Callan’s cause of death was complications of mechanical asphyxia; from Jan. 24 to Jan. 27, he had a heartbeat. Defense objects to the admission of autopsy photos. Admitted. No cross. Lindsay’s sobbing is audible. Judge calls for a recess.
9:34 a.m. Prosecution displays to the jury a picture of Callan taken at autopsy. Lindsay’s head is bowed and cradled in her hands, shoulders shaking during this testimony, as Springer details the injuries to Callan’s neck. Springer describes abrasions on left and front of his neck and forehead. Notes petechial hemorrhages on his face and eyelids. There was some fresh scabbing on his head. Springer found his death consistent with ligature strangulation.
9:27 a.m. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Witness No. 46: Dr. Kimberly Springer, medical examiner. Defense lodges objection before Springer takes the stand. Springer says she performed an autopsy on Callan Clancy on Jan. 29, 2023. Observed therapeutic procedures in place, including thermometer in nostril, tubes, intravascular catheters in hands, and foot, needle marks on his body. Measured him at 26 inches, 24 pounds, he had general edema – fluid buildup. Lindsay Clancy is crying during this testimony. Judge William F. Sullivan interrupts testimony to remind the jury about “potential for emotional reaction to the unpleasant nature of photos and testimony that you will hear this morning.”
9:23 a.m. After a lengthy sidebar, court is in session.