A woman is on trial for the murder of her 3 children. Her defense argues she may not be ‘criminally responsible’ - CNN

What the report says

CNN reports that Lindsay Clancy, a 35-year-old former labor and delivery nurse, is scheduled to go on trial in Massachusetts on Monday in the deaths of her three children at the family’s home in Duxbury on January 24, 2023. Clancy has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and strangulation. The children — 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan — died after being found unconscious in the basement, according to authorities cited by CNN.

The case centers in part on whether Clancy should be held criminally responsible. Her attorney, Kevin Reddington, has said in court that Clancy killed the children but argues her severe mental health condition should prevent a murder conviction. CNN reports that Reddington has described a history of depression, psychiatric hospitalization shortly before the deaths, and changes in medication that he says worsened her condition. Prosecutors are expected to challenge that defense and may present expert testimony of their own.

CNN says a judge has ruled jurors may hear the 911 call made by Clancy’s husband, Patrick, after he returned from an errand and discovered his wife injured outside the home and the children in the basement. Jurors will also be allowed to visit the family’s former house, according to CNN affiliate WCVB. Prosecutors argue the call is relevant to premeditation, cruelty and Clancy’s state of mind.

The report notes that Clancy and her husband have separately sued medical providers involved in her mental health care, alleging failures in diagnosis and treatment; the providers declined comment to CNN because of ongoing litigation. CNN also cites experts who say insanity defenses are uncommon and difficult to prove.