In the ongoing murder trial of Lindsay Clancy in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, defense attorney Donna Rotunno criticized the prosecution for appearing “tone deaf” to jurors’ feelings. Clancy, 36, faces three counts of first‑degree murder for the deaths of her three children, all under six, who were found strangled at the family home in Duxbury in 2023.
Prosecutorial remarks raise concerns
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham asked Susan Clancy, Lindsay’s mother‑in‑law and a Catholic, whether she knew murder was a “mortal sin.” Susan Clancy did not answer, prompting Judge William Sullivan to call a sidebar and strike the remark from the record. Rotunno described the line of questioning as uncaring and snarky, saying it ignored the deep emotional impact such a case has on jurors.
Defense emphasizes mental‑health crisis
Clancy’s defense team, led by Kevin Reddington, presented expert testimony from clinical forensic psychologist Dr. Paul Zeizel, who said Clancy suffered from postpartum psychosis and repeatedly sought help. Zeizel testified that Clancy called a suicide hotline in December 2022 and again later, but was told she did not meet the standard of care because she lacked a concrete plan, and therefore did not receive assistance.
According to Zeizel, Clancy “really loves” her children, misses them daily, and continues to think of them. The defense argues that this mental‑health context should temper the prosecution’s narrative of cold‑hearted murder.
Judicial rulings on witness testimony
Judge Sullivan denied a defense motion to add former McLean Hospital social worker Emily Thorndike as a witness, though he allowed the defense to submit records about the hospital’s staffing and programs during Clancy’s treatment. The defense contends that the prosecution portrayed McLean as a “five‑star” facility offering unlimited treatment, which the defense says mischaracterizes the reality.
Community response
Supporters of Clancy have organized gatherings outside the Plymouth County Superior Court, wearing pink to show solidarity. Organizers encourage those unable to attend to hold similar gatherings in their own cities on Thursday morning.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday. The defense has not indicated whether Clancy will testify.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
