Hundreds of women gathered outside Plymouth Superior Court on Thursday to show support for Lindsay Clancy, who is on trial for killing her three children. The rally, which lasted over an hour, saw attendees stand silently before cheering when Clancy's attorney, Kevin Reddington, stepped outside the courthouse. Many wore pink clothing bearing phrases such as 'Believe,' 'She Needed Help', and 'Peace For Lindsay.'
Supporters cite mental health system failures
The Guardian reported that 300 women and several men said Clancy's story 'resonated with them' and they wanted to raise awareness about how the mental health system fails women. April Vincent, a paralegal from Providence, Rhode Island, told the publication: 'Women are being dismissed, neglected and ignored when we speak up. We're scared because nobody takes us seriously.'
Renee Kimball, the organiser of the rally, told the crowd to trust Reddington to have 'Lindsay's fight.' The event concluded with attendees praying in a circle, holding hands, and showing their support for the former labour nurse as the trial continues.
Trial proceedings and emotional testimony
The rally comes days after Clancy begged for the trial to be stopped as she became overwhelmed by graphic details of her children's deaths. Renee Stonebridge, who works at the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, had been testifying about the children's eye and brain injuries. Clancy appeared to hyperventilate, making gulping sounds, prompting a 15-minute recess during which Reddington stood over her with his arm around her shoulder.
After court resumed, Judge William Sullivan reminded jurors to separate emotions from the facts of the case. Following Stonebridge's testimony, Dr Barbara Olson, called by prosecutors, described how Cora had neck, arm, and leg injuries and that Dawson died of asphyxia. Clancy put her head in her hands and sobbed, saying, 'I can't do this,' leading Judge Sullivan to order another break, during which she was comforted and taken out of the room by nurses.
Background and legal arguments
Clancy killed Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan with resistance bands while her ex-husband Patrick Clancy was running errands. While she does not deny killing the children, her lawyer argues she should not be held criminally responsible due to postpartum psychosis and powerful drugs she was taking for depression at the time.
Clancy's attorney has claimed she had bipolar disorder and that an antidepressant prescribed after Callan's birth worsened her condition. Patrick, who has since married Dr Rachel Danis after divorcing Lindsay, testified about her deteriorating mental health, saying she had experienced thoughts of suicide and intrusive thoughts about hurting their children. Lindsay sought help from specialists and was put on several medications before checking into a psychiatric hospital. She was discharged and killed her children 19 days later on January 24, 2023.
Lindsay and Patrick have accused medical professionals of failing to properly diagnose, treat, and monitor her. Prosecutors allege Lindsay deliberately sent Patrick out on an errand to have enough time to strangle the children with exercise resistance bands. The trial continues.
