During the 14th day of her murder trial, Lindsay Clancy's mother testified that her daughter had expressed thoughts of harming her children and had previously pleaded for her mother to stay with her, citing severe distress.
Paula Musgrove, Clancy's mother, took the stand on Monday at Plymouth County Superior Court. She recounted a text message sent by her daughter three months prior to the January 2023 killings of Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan. In the message, Clancy stated, "Mom will you please come up and stay with me for a bit. I'm really sick. Something is wrong. I had horrible insomnia all night and I just don't know how I'm going to get through the day. I started taking the medicine my doctor prescribed for anxiety and I think it's made things worse. It's just really scary and I don't want to be alone."
Musgrove testified that Clancy grew visibly emotional as her mother's testimony began. She also stated that her daughter had previously confessed to her and her then-husband, Patrick Clancy, that she had thoughts of harming the children. Musgrove recalled this confession occurring in December 2022, approximately one month before the children's deaths.
Clancy, a former nurse, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, asserting she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the killings. She has admitted to strangling her children with exercise bands and subsequently attempting to take her own life, which left her paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Clancy is also pursuing legal action against her former healthcare providers for alleged medical malpractice and negligence.
Musgrove described her daughter as a loving mother who always dreamed of having children. However, she noted a change in Clancy's demeanor around October 2022, which continued through November and December of that year. On cross-examination, Musgrove acknowledged that while she texted her daughter daily and aimed to be encouraging, her texts might not always reflect her direct observations of Clancy's state.
Clancy's sister, Allison Ozga, also testified for the defense. Ozga stated that by Thanksgiving 2022, Clancy did not appear well and seemed "off." By December, Clancy reported her mood was worsening, describing it as depression, and experiencing increased suicidal thoughts and continued insomnia. Ozga also noted that at her niece's birthday party in January, Clancy appeared to be "going through the motions."
During her testimony, Ozga was questioned by the prosecution about whether she ever felt concerned enough to report Clancy. Ozga stated that she did not.
Prior to the defense calling witnesses, Clancy's attorney, Kevin Reddington, filed a motion for a not-guilty verdict, arguing that the prosecution's evidence demonstrated Clancy was suffering from a mental defect. The judge denied this motion. Reddington also contended that the charges should be reduced to second-degree murder.
Clancy is accused of murdering her three children at their family home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. She has admitted to the acts but claims insanity due to postpartum psychosis. For confidential support, individuals can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. or access online chat at 988lifeline.org.