PLYMOUTH, Mass. — The psychiatrist who treated Lindsay Clancy in the months before she allegedly killed her three children is expected to return to the witness stand Monday as testimony resumes in her murder trial at Plymouth Superior Court.
[ LIVESTREAM: Day 10 of Lindsay Clancy trial begins at 9 a.m. ]
Dr. Jennifer Tufts, one of two psychiatrists who have testified about treating the Duxbury mother, is expected to face cross-examination from Clancy’s defense team. The testimony could prove significant as attorneys continue to argue over Clancy’s mental state before the deaths of her children.
Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, has argued that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis, was improperly medicated, and was not criminally responsible for the killings. Prosecutors, meanwhile, contend Clancy was aware of her actions and should be held accountable.
Jurors have already heard that Clancy struggled with anxiety and depression and that doctors considered whether she may have had bipolar disorder. However, testimony so far has not included any diagnosis of psychosis.
Weeks before the killings, Clancy admitted herself to McLean Hospital for five days of mental health treatment. A psychiatrist from the hospital testified that Clancy wanted to be weaned off an antipsychotic medication because she was having trouble sleeping and said no signs of psychosis were observed during her treatment.
As court resumes for a third week of testimony, Tufts’ continued testimony is expected to focus on Clancy’s treatment history, medications, and mental health condition in the months leading up to the January 2023 deaths of her kids, Cora, Dawson, and Callan.
Criminal defense attorney Elyse Hershon, who is not involved in the case, said treating physicians could face scrutiny because Clancy’s family has also filed a malpractice lawsuit related to her care.
“It is in their best interests, these doctors, to get on the stand and to assert that she was stable, that she was fine and she was properly medicated because it serves them,” Hershon said. “So we call that a bias in their testimony... that would be fodder for cross-examination potentially.”
Clancy faces three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her children. If convicted, she could spend the rest of her life in prison.
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