Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham is facing criticism for her courtroom conduct during the trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of murdering her three young children. Buckingham, one of two prosecutors from the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office, has drawn attention for wearing a bow in her hair daily and for her questioning of the children's grieving grandparents.
Clancy, 36, is on trial for allegedly strangling her children, Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan, with exercise bands in their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in January 2023. She subsequently attempted suicide, leaving her paralyzed. The defense has admitted Clancy killed her children but pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing postpartum psychosis, and is seeking commitment to a mental health facility.
The prosecution, led by Buckingham and Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague, has argued the killings were intentional and premeditated. Their case concluded on Monday after three weeks of testimony.
Buckingham has worn a bow in her hair throughout the trial, in various colors and patterns, which she has reportedly worn as a tribute to Cora, who the prosecution stated in opening arguments loved to wear bows. This practice has been questioned by legal experts as potentially inappropriate.
Further controversy arose when Buckingham questioned Sue Clancy, the mother of Lindsay Clancy's husband, Patrick Clancy. During her testimony for the defense, Buckingham asked Sue Clancy if she was aware that murder is considered a mortal sin in the Catholic Church. The defense objected, and the judge struck the question and answer from the record, instructing the jury to disregard it.
The exchange with Sue Clancy provoked anger online, with critics deeming the prosecutor's question to the grieving grandmother unethical and excessive. Buckingham, 45, has been with the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office since 2011, holding a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.