Lindsay Clancy, 36, cried out in court and begged for her murder trial to stop as a medical examiner presented graphic testimony detailing the injuries sustained by her three children. Clancy is accused of murdering Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan, at their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in January 2023. She has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, claiming she was suffering from postpartum psychosis after being prescribed medication for depression.
The jury and courtroom were cleared twice on Wednesday during the proceedings at Plymouth Superior Court. Clancy became visibly distressed as Dr. Barbara Olson described the fatal injuries, including neck trauma to Cora and evidence of asphyxia in Dawson, who prosecutors stated was strangled with exercise bands. Tears streamed down Clancy's face even before autopsy photos of Cora and Dawson were shown to the jury.
One female juror was seen wiping away tears and closing her eyes during the presentation of evidence, while another juror briefly dabbed her face. Clancy put her head in her arms on the defense table and cried loudly. Her attorney, Kevin Reddington, comforted her, with Clancy leaning into him as she sobbed.
Earlier, Renee Stonebridge of the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner testified about injuries to the children's eyes and brains. Clancy appeared to be hyperventilating and shuddering as Stonebridge spoke. Reddington had previously objected to Stonebridge's testimony, arguing it was "not contested" and "not necessary."
Last week, Clancy agreed to a stipulation of facts for several pieces of evidence to streamline the trial. Following Clancy's emotional outburst, the judge instructed the jury to base their verdict solely on the evidence, separating emotion from facts and avoiding decisions based on sympathy, anger, passion, or prejudice.
Clancy's suicide attempt after the killings left her paralyzed and using a wheelchair. The details of the case emerged as prosecutors Jennifer Sprague and Shanan Buckingham observed Clancy's reactions.