The defense in the Lindsay Clancy trial is set to present its final witness on Friday, August 21, 2026, as the case moves closer to a verdict. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick is scheduled to testify regarding Clancy's mental state when she killed her three young children in 2023.
Clancy, 36, is on trial for the murders of her children Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and eight-month-old Callan, at their home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. She has admitted to the killings but has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing postpartum psychosis. Her defense seeks her commitment to a mental health facility rather than a prison sentence.
Dr. Resnick, who also played a role in the defense of Andrea Yates, a woman who confessed to drowning her five children, is expected to testify that Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the events. Following his testimony, prosecutors are expected to call their rebuttal witnesses, with closing arguments anticipated early next week.
On Thursday, the trial heard testimony from Sheila Cavanaugh, a chaplain at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Cavanaugh recounted a visit with Clancy after the killings, during which Clancy reportedly said she was "so glad my children are safe." The chaplain also testified that Clancy mentioned hearing a voice that commanded her to kill the children, stating that if she did not comply, neither she nor her children would be safe.
Clancy, a former nurse, is accused of strangling her children with exercise bands before attempting to end her own life. She sustained life-altering injuries, resulting in paralysis, after falling from a second-story window. She is currently being held at a state hospital.
During the investigation, Clancy's ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, and other relatives, along with mental health experts and doctors, have provided testimony throughout the trial. The case is expected to conclude with jury deliberations soon.