Psychologist rejects postpartum psychosis defense in Clancy child killings trial

· Society USA

A prosecution forensic psychologist testified Monday that Lindsay Clancy was not experiencing acute psychosis or command hallucinations when she killed her three children in January 2023, challenging the defense's postpartum psychosis argument raised last week.

Kirk Heilbrun told the Massachusetts court that Clancy, 36, killed Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and eight-month-old Callan with exercise resistance bands so they would not suffer after she took her own life, and not because voices commanded her to do so. Heilbrun, who diagnosed Clancy with bipolar 2 disorder, said she told the children to "go with God" while strangling them and had asked about suicide as a mortal sin. Prosecutors allege Clancy deliberately sent her husband out to run errands before the killings.

Judge William Sullivan denied a defense mistrial motion after Heilbrun referenced Clancy's Catholic faith, instructing jurors to disregard the remarks. Closing arguments are expected this week.

Story development

  1. Psychologist rejects postpartum psychosis defense in Clancy child killings trial
  2. Lindsay Clancy trial heads to jury as psychiatrists testify to command hallucinations
  3. Psychologist testifies Lindsay Clancy lacked criminal responsibility in children's deaths
  4. Defense begins case in Lindsay Clancy trial after mother testifies of harm warnings

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