Plymouth, Mass. — During Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial, defense psychologist Paul Zeizel testified that Clancy did not understand the “wrongfulness” of her actions due to mental health issues. His testimony supports the defense’s argument that Clancy should not be held legally accountable for the deaths of her three children.
Clancy, accused of murdering her children, is said to have been suffering from bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis. Zeizel has seen Clancy as a patient since the incident and stated, “She was unable to conform her behavior to the rule of law. She had no appreciation for the wrongfulness of her act,” indicating a mental disorder.
The mother, aged 36, has pleaded not guilty to the charges involving the deaths of her children, aged 8 months to 5 years. Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness linked to factors such as stress, lack of sleep, and hormonal changes after childbirth. Researchers estimate this condition affects 1 to 2 per 1,000 women post-delivery, which is more severe and less common than postpartum depression.
According to prosecutors, the former labor and delivery nurse allegedly planned the January 2023 incident by sending her husband out of the house to buy medication and food. Zeizel detailed how Clancy, who spent over 35 hours with him across numerous visits and had her medical records reviewed, sought help from a perinatal clinic in December 2022. She expressed feeling as if her “brain was damaged,” having thoughts of self-harm, and fearing her children would be taken from her.
Zeizel noted that Clancy displayed paranoia, believing others could hear her thoughts. Despite her psychotic state, Zeizel clarified that it did not prevent her from performing daily tasks such as driving and internet browsing. He noted, “So the fact she is not talking about the unicorns in the corner, she is not slurring her words and she is not unable to walk… does that mean she is not in a psychotic state?” Zeizel affirmed that it did not mean she was not in a psychotic state.
Lindsay Clancy has bad days and worse days.
In cross-examination, prosecutors scrutinized Zeizel’s report, questioning his objectivity due to his dual role as her therapist and defense collaborator. Clancy’s medical records lacked reports of auditory hallucinations urging her to commit suicide, only documenting her expression of wanting to die.
The prosecution contested the seriousness of her suicide attempt. After reportedly strangling her children, Clancy jumped from a second-story window, resulting in paralysis from the waist down. Prosecutors also noted that reports from Tewksbury Hospital, where Clancy resides, mentioned family visits and patient interactions but lacked references to her acknowledging her children’s birthdays or the incident anniversary.
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington questioned Zeizel about Clancy’s behavior in the hospital. Zeizel countered the prosecution’s claims that Clancy doesn’t mention her children, asserting, “She really loves them and misses them and thinks of them every single day, almost every moment of the day.” If convicted, Clancy faces life imprisonment without parole. However, if found not guilty due to criminal insanity, she would be committed to a state mental health facility.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.