LINDSAY CLANCY’S DEFENSE ROCKED: Psychologist Clai...

LINDSAY CLANCY’S DEFENSE ROCKED: Psychologist Claims She Had “Moral Awareness” During the Ki-lli-ngs

A forensic psychologist testifying as a rebuttal witness for prosecutors in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial returned to court Tuesday, Aug. 25 to discuss his opinion on her criminal responsibility in the killings of her three children.

Prosecutors have argued that Clancy, 36, intentionally killed her children in January 2023 and was not experiencing postpartum psychosis at the time, as the defense has maintained. Her then-husband, Patrick, returned home that evening after running errands at her request and discovered the tragic scene, where she had also attempted suicide.

Dr. Kirk Heilbrun took the witness stand again in Plymouth, Mass., and continued his direct testimony about his evaluation of Clancy, which took place over three days in April 2026.

The proceedings have been live-streamed by the Associated Press.

AP/YouTube; Pool Photo Greg Derr/ The Patriot Ledger via Imagn

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In discussing Clancy’s criminal responsibility, Heilbrun said in court that he believes Clancy had a “mental disease or defect” at the time of the killings on Jan. 24, 2023, but still understood what she was doing was illegal. He testified that “her moral awareness of the wrongfulness of this killing was influenced by her strong desire to die and, if she were dead, not to leave her children behind.” He added that some of her thoughts appeared distorted.

The psychologist also testified that his evaluation more strongly supported Clancy’s conduct as a serious suicide attempt and “altruistic filicide” rather than an act driven by acute psychosis with hallucinations.

Heilbrun previously testified that his conclusion was based in part on the fact that Clancy reported hearing a voice telling her to kill her children and herself only once, during the killings, and that she gave an “unusual” first response when Patrick asked her what had happened.

On Tuesday, Heilbrun testified that Clancy was influenced by depression and hopelessness, as well as a desire to “end the pain” she had experienced since October 2022. While those factors influenced her decision-making, he said she maintained control over when and how the killings were carried out. The psychologist testified that he ultimately ruled she was “criminally responsible” that day.

During cross-examination, Clancy’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, focused on Heilbrun’s professional background while emphasizing Clancy’s history of seeking treatment from multiple healthcare providers for anxiety and depression following the birth of her youngest child, as well as how she was overmedicated. Reddington also asked Heilbrun whether he agreed that Clancy had been a good mother, to which the psychologist agreed.

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Before the defense presented its case last week, Reddington called several witnesses to testify about Clancy’s mental state, including psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick, who said he believed she was “frankly psychotic.” Resnick also told the court that he believed Clancy experienced “command hallucinations” telling her to kill her children and herself.

If Clancy is found not guilty by reason of insanity, she would likely be committed to a secure state mental health facility for an indefinite period of time, while a first-degree murder conviction could result in life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Closing arguments are expected to happen this week after the prosecution calls one last rebuttal witness.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.