Sue Clancy, the mother of Lindsay Clancy’s ex-husband, testified for the defense about what she described as a dramatic decline in Lindsay’s mental health before the deaths of her three children.
The defense phase of Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial took an unexpectedly tense turn Tuesday when prosecutors questioned her former mother-in-law about her religious beliefs.
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Sue Clancy, mother of Lindsay’s former husband Patrick Clancy, appeared as a defense witness and described Lindsay as a loving parent whose mental health deteriorated significantly in the months before the January 2023 deaths of her three children.
Lindsay, 36, is charged with murdering her children — 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan — at the family’s home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege that she intentionally strangled the children with exercise bands.
The defense does not dispute that Lindsay was responsible for the children’s deaths. Instead, attorney Kevin Reddington argues that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and had been dangerously overmedicated, leaving her unable to understand or control her actions.
Sue Clancy Describes Lindsay as ‘Begging for Help’
Taking the stand, Sue recalled having a close relationship with Lindsay and described her former daughter-in-law as a “wonderful mother.”
But according to Sue, Lindsay began experiencing significant changes after the birth of her youngest child.
During the latter part of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, Sue said Lindsay struggled with insomnia, anxiety and a diminished appetite. She also described changes in Lindsay’s personality that left the family increasingly concerned.
At one point, Sue told the court, Lindsay was desperate for assistance with what she was experiencing.
“She was begging for help,” Sue testified.
Her testimony supports the defense’s broader argument that Lindsay’s mental health had been deteriorating well before the killings and that the seriousness of her condition may not have been adequately addressed.
Prosecutor’s Religious Question Draws Immediate Objection
The most dramatic moment of Sue’s testimony came during cross-examination.
Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham asked Sue whether she was Catholic. After Sue confirmed that she was, the prosecutor followed by asking whether she believed murder was considered a “mortal sin.”
Reddington immediately objected.
The attorneys then approached the judge for a sidebar, after which jurors were instructed to disregard the question.
The exchange was brief, but it created a noticeable interruption in an otherwise emotionally focused day of testimony.
Defense Continues Building Mental Health Case
Sue’s testimony came as the defense began presenting its case after prosecutors rested Monday following approximately four weeks of testimony from more than 70 witnesses.
The prosecution called family members, friends, first responders, psychiatrists, medical professionals and other witnesses as it attempted to establish that Lindsay intentionally killed her children.
The defense, meanwhile, has focused heavily on her psychiatric history, medications and reported symptoms before the killings.
Earlier testimony from defense expert psychiatrist Dr. Donald Condie raised questions about the medical care Lindsay received. Condie, who never personally treated Lindsay, characterized portions of her medical records as “sparse” and testified that certain blood tests for thyroid and hormonal problems had not been performed.
The defense has argued that those omissions were significant given Lindsay’s postpartum symptoms.
Lindsay’s Suicide Attempt Also Remains Central
After the children were killed, Lindsay cut her wrists and jumped from a second-story window.
She survived the fall but suffered severe spinal injuries that left her paralyzed and now requires a wheelchair.
The circumstances surrounding that apparent suicide attempt have also become an important part of the trial. Earlier in the proceedings, prosecutors questioned medical witnesses about the relatively superficial nature of wounds found on Lindsay’s wrists and neck.
Reddington has strongly rejected any suggestion that the suicide attempt was staged.
The defense maintains that Lindsay’s actions occurred during a severe psychiatric episode rather than as the result of a calculated plan.
What Comes Next
Patrick Clancy, Lindsay’s former husband and the father of all three children, was the prosecution’s first witness. Although he has since divorced Lindsay, Patrick has previously said that he forgives her.
As the defense continues presenting witnesses, jurors are expected to hear additional testimony about Lindsay’s mental state, her treatment history and the events leading up to the deaths.
The central question remains whether Lindsay should be held criminally responsible for what happened — or whether her defense can persuade the jury that severe mental illness prevented her from being legally responsible for the killings.
