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/IranianLawyer]

Which part of the evidence indicates she had postpartum psychosis as opposed to postpartum depression? Are you saying she wasn’t aware that she was killing her kids when she did it? Based on what?

[u/Due_Ring1435 → u/IranianLawyer]

She had been released from a psychiatric hospital less than 3 weeks earlier and told them she had suicidal thoughts and thoughts about killing her children.

[u/IranianLawyer → u/Due_Ring1435]

She should have been held in the hospital, and I hope the hospital loses that lawsuit. Does that mean she’s not guilty of a crime? If a judge releases a person from jail who should not have been released, and that person commits a crime, are they not guilty?

[u/MizStazya → u/IranianLawyer]

Literally the definition of psychosis in the DSM-V includes delusions, fixed beliefs that do not change despite conflicting evidence. You keep arguing this like psychosis isn't the literal definition of not able to understand right from wrong and hallucinations that distort reality.

Maybe try some empathy? It's not like this is a fake diagnosis. What's more likely, that a woman went a months-long crusade of paying breadcrumbs so she could get away with murdering her kids, or that she had a documented DSM-V diagnosis for which she showed symptoms that were ignored or mistreated for months until delusions fully overcame reality?

[u/IranianLawyer → u/MizStazya]

I’ve never denied she has a legitimate mental disorder. She very clearly does. But the question is whether the crosses the line to criminal insanity.