Mom Accused of Killing Son Supported by Family, Attorney Says
Defense claims 'psychosis' led to toddler's death, comparing case to that of Lindsay Clancy.
Corie Walsh, accused of hanging her 2-year-old son, Barret, is receiving full support from her family, according to her attorney, Andrea Lyon. Lyon, who previously defended Casey Anthony, stated that Walsh was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the incident, referring to it as an "unimaginable tragedy."
"Psychosis is not a choice, and the death of Little Bear — that was [Barrett’s] nickname — is an unimaginable tragedy," Lyon told WMAQ outside a Frankfort courthouse during a pre-trial hearing. "We are continuing to investigate and thoroughly represent our client by learning everything that we can about her and about her psychosis."
Walsh, 40, faces first-degree murder charges in the death of her son. Prosecutors allege that Barret's two older siblings discovered their mother in a bathtub filled with bloody water after she had self-harmed. The children then sought help from a neighbor, who found Barret in the basement of their Frankfort home with a rope around his neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An 8-month-old child was found unharmed in the home.
According to investigators, Walsh had recently become engrossed in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother who strangled her three young children. Clancy's defense also cited postpartum psychosis, and her trial ended in a mistrial.
Walsh, who was hospitalized after the incident, allegedly told investigators she believed her son was the "anti-Christ" and the "devil." Prosecutors also claim she plotted to poison her husband. Walsh has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for another court appearance on November 23.