Lindsay Clancy’s mother testified Monday that her daughter believed medication had dramatically changed her and was “destroying her mind” in the months before she killed her three children.
Paula Musgrove described Clancy as a loving mother who had always wanted a large family. But after the birth of her youngest child, Callan, in May 2022, Clancy’s mental health began to deteriorate.
“She would say to me, ‘This isn’t me, I’ve never been like this before,’” Musgrove testified. Clancy struggled with anxiety, insomnia, suicidal thoughts and increasing paranoia while trying different medications and seeking treatment.
Clancy, 36, does not dispute that she strangled Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and 8-month-old Callan in January 2023. Her defense argues she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and should not be held criminally responsible.
Her mother recalled Clancy becoming increasingly distressed after taking medication. At one point, Clancy told her she could not remember things and that the medication was “pretty much just destroying her mind.”
“She said, ‘This isn’t me. I just want to feel better and enjoy my kids again,’” Musgrove testified.
Other defense witnesses also described Clancy as a devoted mother and compassionate nurse. Her sister said Clancy became increasingly depressed and experienced suicidal thoughts in the weeks before the killings.
Prosecutors, however, argue Clancy acted intentionally and rationally. They acknowledge her mental health struggles but contend she was not experiencing psychosis when she killed her children.
The prosecution has presented testimony from more than 70 witnesses, including Clancy’s former husband and medical providers. Several witnesses said Clancy appeared calm and normal shortly before the killings and did not show obvious signs of psychosis.
The defense is now attempting to show jurors that Clancy’s deteriorating mental state, medication struggles and postpartum illness left her unable to understand or control her actions.
