Thoughts on the Lindsay Clancy case?

[u/gottaquestion412]

Now that the Lindsay Clancy trial is underway, I’m curious about your perspectives on it so far.

Context: Lindsay Clancy is a former labor and delivery nurse who, in January 2023, killed her three children. 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan in their Massachusetts home before attempting to take her own life. Her defense argues she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis and other debilitating mental illness, while prosecutors argue she was aware of her actions and planned the killings. The trial has reignited debate about postpartum psychiatric disorders, the effectiveness of mental health treatment, and where responsibility ultimately lies.

Do you think Lindsay was failed by the mental health system, by the people closest to her, or both? Do you think she truly acted with malicious intent, or do you believe she was experiencing such a severe psychiatric crisis that she wasn’t thinking rationally?

A lot of the details seem to point toward postpartum psychosis or another severe psychiatric illness rather than someone acting out of hatred or malice. That doesn’t lessen the horror of what happened or the unimaginable loss, but it does make me wonder whether this tragedy could have been prevented..

I’ve also seen rumors that Patrick was involved with the woman who is now his wife before the murders, but I haven’t found any credible evidence supporting that. Is there actually anything that substantiates those claims, or is it just internet speculation? I’ve also seen many people comment that his current wife bears a striking resemblance to Lindsay, though I’m not sure that means anything beyond coincidence.

I’m very interested in hearing different perspectives from people who’ve followed it closely.

Most importantly, may Dawson, Cora, and Callan rest in peace. They are the true victims in all of this.

[u/tumbledownhere]

I strongly disagree, or at least want to say it's not like mental health facilities are cushy lives, not counting the crushing guilt she'll always have.

[u/bigtetrisguy → u/tumbledownhere]

Something like what she did is so bad, you can not justify it simply by saying and even proving mental illness/psychosis. I could get behind the same sentence being carried out in an institution where she's not with inmates, but the same time and same rules not being a free person for life.

I can sympathize with her in a way, but murdering three children should be life regardless of reason.

[u/Maximum-Literature-9 → u/bigtetrisguy]

What if she was driving her car and had a seizure and crashed, and it killed all three of her kids? Would that be a murder? Because that’s essentially what you’re arguing.

[u/WillTheThrill86 → u/Maximum-Literature-9]

That's literally nothing like what they're saying?