Actress Lisa Rinna has been accused of making defamatory statements about Patrick Clancy, the ex-husband of Lindsay Clancy, who is on trial for allegedly killing their three young children. A recent opinion piece suggests that Patrick Clancy should sue Rinna for her public pronouncements on the case.
In social media posts, Rinna claimed that Patrick Clancy was responsible for the deaths of his children, despite his ex-wife having admitted to the acts. Rinna cited her therapist's opinion and a belief that women do not typically strangle their children as justification for her claims. She stated, "Patrick did it. Patrick is the one who did it. Not Lindsay."
The opinion piece asserts that Rinna's statements were not mere opinions but outright lies and defamatory, particularly given that Lindsay Clancy has admitted to the killings. The trial is currently focused on determining her criminal responsibility and whether the acts constitute murder or manslaughter. The article emphasizes that the case involves real people experiencing unimaginable tragedy, not characters in a fictional narrative.
Rinna has defended her statements as free speech, responding to criticism by saying, "These are my opinions, this is my page and that’s that. So If you don’t like it, tough f–king s–t."
The article criticizes the broader trend of true crime obsession and the role of social media in amplifying unsubstantiated claims. It argues that platforms reward outrageous takes, creating a permission structure for individuals to disregard decency. Patrick Clancy, described as a devoted husband and father, has lost his children and his wife, who is confined to a wheelchair following a suicide attempt. His ex-wife, Lindsay Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse, is on trial after allegedly strangling their children, Cora, Dawson, and Callan, and then attempting to end her own life. Patrick Clancy has expressed hope that Lindsay will find peace.
The author of the opinion piece suggests that Rinna should reflect on her behavior and seek professional help, stating, "Her aforementioned therapy isn’t working, but she should keep at it. I just suggest finding a new shrink."