Attorneys for Lindsay Clancy concluded their closing arguments Thursday, presenting their final cases before a jury began deliberations in her trial. Clancy is accused of killing her three children with exercise bands at their home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, and then attempting to end her own life by jumping out a window. She has attended the trial in a wheelchair, having been paralyzed by the suicide attempt. MILITARY Kevin Reddington, Clancy's attorney, reiterated the defense's position that his client was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the killings. He argued that this severe mental health illness rendered her not guilty of the charges. Postpartum psychosis is defined by the UK's National Health Service as a rare and serious mental health illness that can affect individuals shortly after childbirth and requires treatment as a medical emergency. During closing arguments, Reddington directly questioned prosecutors on their attempts to argue that Clancy's suicide attempt was not genuine. The judge intervened, instructing Reddington to address only the jury. Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague acknowledged Clancy's mental illness but contended that she was aware of the difference between right and wrong when the killings occurred. Sprague argued that mental health diagnoses, including postpartum psychosis as defined in the DSM, did not cause Clancy to kill her children. Sprague also stated that Clancy had received significant care but had concealed thoughts of harming her children from medical professionals.
Jury Deliberates in Trial of US Woman Accused of Killing Children
Defense argues postpartum psychosis, prosecutors claim calculated murder.