This is the Day 19 of the 6-to-8-week trial report of the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of murdering her three children Dawson, Cora and Callan. Lindsay Clancy pleads not guilty by the reason of insanity.
Case Report
Factual background:
On January 24, 2023, 35-year-old former labor and delivery nurse Lindsay Clancy of Duxbury, Massachusetts, requested that her husband run errands to pick up dinner and medication. While he was away from the home, Clancy strangled their three children—5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan—in the basement using exercise bands before attempting suicide by jumping from a second-story window. Patrick Clancy returned home to find his wife severely injured in the yard and the children unresponsive in the basement; Cora and Dawson died that day, while Callan died three days later at Boston Children’s Hospital. Lindsay Clancy, who survived the fall but remains paralyzed from the waist down, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Criminal complaint:
CHARGES:
1. 1st Degree Murder 3 counts
Victim(s): Cora (5 Years Old), Dawson (3 years old), Callan (8 Months)
Courthouse: Plymouth County Courthouse, Massachusetts
Officers of the court
Judge:
Attorneys
Prosecution:
ADA Shanan Buckingham
ADA Jennifer Sprague
Defence:
Kevin Reddington
Legend:
ADA = Assistant District Attorney
MA v. Lindsay Clancy – Day 19 Trial Summary
On Day 19 of proceedings (August 24, 2026) in Commonwealth v. Lindsay Clancy, the prosecution continued its rebuttal evidence phase featuring testimony from two expert mental health witnesses. The session began with defense counsel concluding cross-examination of prosecution rebuttal witness Dr. Avram Mack, who testified that Clancy’s medical records showed no evidence of psychotic elements and that she had expressed feeling overwhelmed with life and a desire to return to being herself.
The prosecution then called forensic psychologist Dr. Kirk Heilbrun, who detailed Clancy’s history of severe anxiety, insomnia, adverse medication reactions, and her stay at McLean Hospital. Dr. Heilbrun expressed deep skepticism regarding Clancy’s claim of auditory command hallucinations (“kill the kids before it’s too late”), testifying that experiencing acute psychosis for a mere 18 minutes without preceding or succeeding symptoms is extraordinarily unusual and that she would have told her husband she was obeying a voice if that were true. During Heilbrun’s direct examination, the defense moved for a mistrial after the witness commented that suicide is a “mortal sin,” but the court denied the motion before adjourning for the day.
Witness-by-Witness Summaries
Dr. Kirk Heilbrun – Forensic Psychologist
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case: Prosecution rebuttal expert forensic psychologist called to evaluate Clancy’s mental health history, clinical diagnoses, and claims of hallucination during the offense.
Summary Of Testimony
Dr. Heilbrun testified during direct examination that Clancy experienced escalating anxiety, severe insomnia, and adverse medication reactions late in November 2022 that left her feeling “off” and disconnected from her body. He noted that during her admission to McLean Hospital for suicidal ideation, she denied being actively suicidal and cited wanting to be there for her mother and children as preventive thinking. While evaluating Bipolar 2, Heilbrun declined to diagnose it because he could not identify any manic symptoms. Heilbrun stated he was very wary of someone claiming to hear voices exclusively during a criminal offense, noting that 18 minutes of isolated acute psychosis is extremely unusual. He added that had she heard a voice, she likely would have told her husband Patrick “I had no choice” or “the voice told me to do it” when questioned immediately afterward. The defense moved for a mistrial following Heilbrun’s remark that suicide is a mortal sin, but the court denied the motion.
Key evidence introduced!
- Nothing Of Note.
Full report below!
Sources:
LIVE: Lindsay Clancy Murder Trial — MA v. Lindsay Clancy — Day 19, Law & Crime Trials Youtube Channel, Available Online: https://www.youtube.com/live/krnSXODPOJ4?si=8BhaHPSSr12ZrkeN
