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Clancy was afraid of losing her children if she reported extent of her symptoms, forensic psychiatrist says — 11:33 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick said Clancy “was actually a more sophisticated patient than most” and was forthcoming in disclosing most of the psychiatric symptoms she was experiencing.
However, she wasn’t “fully revealing” about experiencing an “impulse to harm her children,” he said.
She was scared that her children would be taken away if she disclosed that impulse, Resnick said.
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington finished his questioning of Resnick, who then started being questioned by prosecutors.
‘She did what she believed was morally right,’ psychiatrist testifies — 11:28 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick said it’s his opinion that Clancy should not be held criminally responsible for her actions under Massachusetts law.
The legal standard has two prongs. The defense will have to convince jurors that Clancy either was unable to understand the wrongfulness of her actions to a moral certainty, or was unable to conform her conduct to the law.
Resnick said Clancy was unable to act in accordance with the law because of the command hallucinations she was experiencing.
“She felt that she had to obey the instructions,” he said. “It was a matter where she was just following the command, rather than being able to make any decision to do this or not.”
He said the killings in this case meet his definition of “altruistic filicide,” which is a “murder committed out of love, rather than hostility.”
Clancy was obsessive about caring for her children, as the jury has heard from her family members and others, Resnick said.
“In her mind, she believed that she would be doing her children a favor by having them go to heaven with her, rather than remain on earth without her doing the mothering,” he testified.
With her distorted, psychotic thinking, “she did what she believed was morally right,” he added.
‘It was almost like she was a puppet.’ Forensic psychiatrist says Clancy felt that she lost control of her body. — 11:19 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick testified that in addition to experiencing “command hallucinations,” Lindsay Clancy had “what’s known as a delusion of influence.”
“She felt that her body was taken over by an external force,” he said. “It was almost like she was a puppet and someone else was pulling the strings.”
Forensic psychiatrist says Clancy was ‘frankly psychotic’ the day she killed her children — 11:16 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
In addition to his evaluation of her, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick said he reviewed the psychiatric medications Clancy was prescribed in the months leading up to the killings.
“Ms. Clancy had a severe depression,” he said, responding to a question from defense attorney Kevin Reddington.
He said Clancy tried not to show the extent of her depression to people other than her closest family members.
Resnick said Clancy was also displaying “mild mania.” He said his “final diagnosis” was bipolar disorder with major depression.
He said she had a history of anxiety after the births of her three children, becoming stronger each time.
“Ms. Clancy was frankly psychotic” on the day she killed her children, Resnick testified. He said it’s relatively rare to have psychosis that long after giving birth, but he nonetheless “would label that postpartum psychosis.”
Clancy wasn’t “frankly psychotic” every minute of that day — she made a snowman with the kids and took her child Cora to the doctor, a level of functioning that indicated she wasn’t psychotic — until the “command hallucination” began, he said.
Forensic psychiatrist describes test to determine accuracy of Clancy’s symptoms — 11:06 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
“The results were that Lindsay Clancy had a tendency to minimize, and did not have a tendency to exaggerate … her own symptoms,” said forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick.
“It did not suggest any evidence of faking symptoms,” he added.
Resnick has expertise in evaluating whether patients are “malingering,” or overstating their psychiatric conditions.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
Judge William F. Sullivan called the lawyers to a sidebar after defense attorney Kevin Reddington questioned forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick about his assessment of whether Lindsay Clancy was “faking” any symptoms, according to her medical records.
“Was she faking? Was she lying? Or was she telling the truth?” Reddington asked.
“The results showed no evidence of faking,” Resnick replied.
The judge then paused his testimony for a sidebar conversation.
Her ‘emotions were not as you would expect,’ forensic psychiatrist describes interviewing Lindsay Clancy — 10:59 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
Dr. Phillip Resnick said he has studied filicide, the “relatively infrequent phenomenon” of parents killing their children. It occurs between 400 and 500 times a year in the United States, he said.
He has been involved in many high-profile murder cases, including Andrea Yates, the Texas mother who successfully brought an insanity plea, citing postpartum mental health conditions, and was ultimately acquitted of murder charges after killing her five children.
Resnick said he had consulted with defense teams as well as the prosecution.
In this case, defense attorney Kevin Reddington reached out to him.
About four months after the killings of the Clancy children, Resnick said he “did a personal evaluation of Lindsay and her parents to gain information,” including a three-hour interview with Lindsay Clancy in May 2023.
During the interview, she appeared somewhat matter of fact, Resnick said. “But at the time she was still grieving. The nurses told me she was crying daily about the loss of her three children.”
She was also medicated at that time. She was fully cooperative and provided a “detailed account of her recollections of the critical events, Resnick said. She appeared to have a “flat affect.”
“I would call it a blunted affect,” he said, adding that her “emotions were not as you would expect.”
Forensic psychiatrist resumes testimony after technical delay — 10:49 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
With the earlier technical issues apparently resolved, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick resumed his testimony.
“Members of the jury, we’re going to give it another go,” said Judge William F. Sullivan.
Resnick outlined his experience in the field of forensic psychiatry, including his current position at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.
Technical difficulties resolved — 10:41 a.m.
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
The internet issue has been resolved and people are being let back into the courtroom.
Testimony should be resuming shortly.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
Even during the break in testimony, comments kept pouring in from observers watching the Associated Press YouTube livestream of the trial.
Many expressed support for Clancy and sought to raise awareness about postpartum psychiatric disorders and gaps in mental health services.
“I really wish people understood mental health,” one person wrote. “You don’t know you are having delusions or hallucinations at the time. That’s why it’s psychosis. Education is so important.”
Long line of Clancy supporters wait outside courtroom, hoping for a seat inside — 10:20 a.m.
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
A long line of women who came to support Lindsay Clancy are waiting outside the courtroom, hoping to get a seat inside once the proceedings resume.
The court officers have warned that there’s no reserved seating, so those who had already secured a seat in the packed courtroom before the technical glitch involving testimony via Zoom are not guaranteed that they’ll get back in. The courtroom is locked, and all spectators — including media — are waiting in the courthouse hallway.
Technical difficulties delay remote testimony of crucial witness — 10:15 a.m.
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
The court is having technical difficulties with Dr. Phillip Resnick’s appearance to testify via Zoom, and jurors were led out of the courtroom for what the judge said, “I hope is a short break” while they try to resolve the issue.
It appears the problem may be on Resnick’s end, but they are working frantically to resolve it.
It’s critical for the defense that jurors hear from Resnick, a forensic psychiatrist who will offer his opinion on Clancy’s postpartum mental health, because another mental health expert who had been scheduled to appear for the defense earlier this week won’t be testifying.
That expert, Dr. Margaret Spinelli, a renowned expert on postpartum mental health, had been in the courtroom earlier this week listening to testimony, but was dropped from the witness list without explanation.
Judge calls ‘short recess’ to address technical difficulties — 10:06 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
Judge William F. Sullivan called the lawyers to a sidebar shortly after defense attorney Kevin Reddington began questioning his first witness of the day, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick.
The doctor had been intending to testify in person, but an unexpected medical issue made him unable to travel, Reddington said. There were issues with the internet connection as he began testifying on Zoom.
The judge then called a short break at 10 a.m. to see if court staff could solve the problem.
“I hope it’s a short break,” he told the jury. “That’s the goal, to get this in a manner that is easier for you to hear and absorb this information.”
Defense calls Dr. Phillip Resnick — 10:03 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
The defense has called Dr. Phillip Resnick, a forensic psychiatrist who specializes in assessing violence risk and a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. He appeared via video conference as he recovers from an unexpected hospitalization and being unable to fly.
A brief issue with the volume and internet connection arose at the start of his testimony. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington noted a short delay in the connection. He said Resnick had intended to testify in person before his health issue.
Resnick has testified in many high-profile murder cases, including Andrea Yates, the Texas mother who successfully brought an insanity plea, citing postpartum mental health conditions, and was ultimately acquitted of murder charges after killing her five children.
Trial continues to draw huge audience online — 10:01 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
More than 50,000 people were tuning into an Associated Press livestream of the trial on YouTube before 10 a.m. Friday.
The trial, now beginning its 18th day of testimony, has drawn a massive international audience. On Thursday morning, hundreds of Clancy supporters rallied outside the courthouse in Plymouth, most of them women dressed in pink. They said they were raising awareness about postpartum mental health conditions and gaps in psychiatric services.
Online observers have also circulated conspiracy theories about the case on social media, including a false theory that Lindsay Clancy’s ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, actually killed the children. There’s been no evidence to suggest that, and Lindsay Clancy has already admitted to the killings, entering an insanity plea.
Jurors say they’re all ready to serve today — 9:59 a.m.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
Judge William F. Sullivan asked if any members of the jury had heard or seen anything that affects their ability to serve. In unison, they said no.
The 18 jurors were questioned individually by the judge Thursday morning after a large gathering of Clancy’s supporters held a rally outside the Plymouth courthouse.
Sullivan said to expect a longer day Friday, after a truncated schedule the day before. He said a witness was expected to testify via video conference.
Crucial day of testimony from mental health experts on Friday — 9:58 a.m.
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
It’s a crucial day in the trial because jurors will hear from dueling mental health experts, one from the defense and then three called by the prosecution.
They will focus on the key issue: was Lindsay Clancy suffering from a psychotic break and unable to control her actions when she killed her children in January 2023.
What to know about Dr. Phillip Resnick — 9:57 a.m.
By Sarah Rahal, Globe Staff
Dr. Phillip Resnick, a nationally known forensic psychiatrist, has evaluated defendants in some of the nation’s highest-profile criminal cases.
Resnick, a professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, has consulted in cases involving Jeffrey Dahmer, Timothy McVeigh, Theodore Kaczynski, Susan Smith, and Casey Anthony. He is also an expert on filicide — the killing of a child by a parent.
Notably, Resnick testified for the defense of Andrea Yates, the Texas mother who drowned her five children in 2001. At her second trial, he testified that Yates suffered from severe postpartum psychosis. She was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2006.
Resnick’s testimony could be significant to Clancy’s insanity defense. Her attorneys say she was suffering from postpartum psychosis when she killed her three children in their Duxbury home in January 2023; prosecutors contend she was criminally responsible for the killings.
Friday is the 18th day of testimony in Clancy’s trial — 9:52 a.m.
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
Judge William Sullivan has called a sidebar, as he has done just about every day of Lindsay Clancy’s trial before calling the jury in.
Jurors have heard from more than 80 witnesses since testimony began at the end of July. Friday is the 18th day of testimony.
The defense is poised to call its last witness before resting its case. Dr. Phillip Resnick, who will appear via video, is a nationally known forensic psychiatrist.
By Lea Skene, Globe Staff
As court resumed Friday morning, Judge William F. Sullivan greeted counsel and Lindsay Clancy, who responded quietly, “Good morning, your honor.”
The judge immediately asked to see the lawyers at a sidebar.
Who coordinates care? Clancy case exposes system failures. — 8:53 a.m.
By Sarah Rahal, Globe Staff
When a patient screens positive for postpartum depression in Massachusetts, the law provides a course of action for clinicians: discuss treatment, prescribe medication, and refer the patient to a mental health expert.
Then what?
What happens once a patient is referred to the mental health system has taken on new urgency during the trial of Lindsay Clancy.
Here’s how Thursday’s testimony unfolded — 8:44 a.m.
By Camilo Fonseca and Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
A chaplain at Brigham and Women’s hospital who met with Lindsay Clancy while she received treatment there after killing her children testified that Clancy spoke of hearing a “persistent” voice before the killings.
Lindsay Clancy trial: Hospital chaplain testifies that Clancy spoke of hearing ‘persistent’ voice
Sheila Cavanaugh said she has visited with Clancy more than 200 times since the killings. She testified that when they met in January 2023, Clancy said that the voice “told her that if she did not follow the command, neither she nor her children would be safe.”
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague noted during cross-examination that Cavanaugh wrote detailed notes about her visits with Clancy, yet “you never once wrote that she told you she heard a voice or what that voice said.”
“Correct,” said Cavanaugh, adding that her notes were not verbatim transcripts of her visits. “I’m not there to evaluate the patient, I’m there to give witness to their suffering.”
During questioning from Clancy’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, Cavanaugh acknowledged that as a chaplain, she considers some of her conversations with patients confidential.
Cavanaugh testified that she developed a bond with Clancy while she was at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and continued to visit her when she was moved to Spaulding Rehabilitation Center and Tewksbury Hospital.
Earlier, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Plymouth Superior Court in a show of support for Clancy. Many were dressed in pink, and some said they came from other states to be there.
Lea Skene can be reached at lea.skene@globe.com. Follow her on X @lea_skene. Shelley Murphy can be reached at shelley.murphy@globe.com. Follow her @shelleymurph. Sarah Rahal can be reached at sarah.rahal@globe.com. Follow her on X @SarahRahal_ or Instagram @sarah.rahal.
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