The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three young children in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in 2023, has become a battleground of psychiatric assessments, with conflicting expert opinions emerging on her mental state. Clancy, 36, does not dispute the act of killing her children – Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan – but has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, asserting she suffered from severe postpartum mental illness that rendered her unable to control her actions.
A recent episode of The Trial USA podcast, hosted by Kayla Brantley and featuring crime correspondent Rachel Sharp, delved into the trial's proceedings, highlighting the opposing views presented by the defense and prosecution.
Defense's Argument: Postpartum Psychosis
The defense called forensic psychiatrist Dr. Philip Resnick, who has researched postpartum psychiatric disorders, as their final witness. Dr. Resnick testified that Clancy was experiencing "bipolar two with a severe depression," with symptoms beginning within three months of her youngest son's birth. He asserted that on the day of the killings, Clancy was suffering from postpartum onset and was "clearly" psychotic, describing her state as feeling her body was controlled by an external force, akin to being a "puppet."
Prosecution's Rebuttal: No Psychosis
In contrast, the prosecution presented Dr. Avra Mack, a forensic psychologist who interviewed Clancy twice in April 2026 and reviewed her medical records. Dr. Mack diagnosed Clancy with a major depressive episode but stated her illness was not postpartum and that he found no evidence of psychosis. During a heated cross-examination, defense attorney Kevin Reddington challenged Dr. Mack on Clancy's medical history, but the doctor maintained his position that Clancy was not psychotic.
Another prosecution witness, forensic psychologist Dr. Kirk Heilbrun, also interviewed Clancy. He found her to be severely depressed and suicidal but not psychotic. Dr. Heilbrun noted that Clancy reported hearing a male voice for only 18 minutes, which he characterized as highly unusual for someone experiencing psychosis. This detail also revealed that the killings of the three children reportedly took approximately 18 minutes to complete.