The outside of Plymouth District Court, where Lindsay Clancy is to be arraigned on Tuesday.Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
DUXBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — (UPDATED: 3:20 p.m., February 7, 2023) Lindsay Clancy of Duxbury was arraigned by video from the hospital for the murders of her children on Tuesday afternoon.
Clancy plead not guilty to murder and strangulation charges for each of her three children. The court ordered Clancy to remain in the hospital until she is discharged, must inform the court if she's transferred to another treatment facility, and must receive mental health treatment. In the case she is released, Clancy is ordered to home confinement.
Both the defense and prosecution had a chance to make arguments in Plymouth District Court. The prosecution claimed that Clancy was aware of her actions, saying that she used Google Maps to find out how long it would take someone to drive from her Duxbury residence to 3V, a bar and restaurant in Plymouth. According to attorneys, 3V is the establishment her husband, Patrick Clancy, was driving to pick up takeout for the family. Additionally, the prosecution draws attention to one of the first questions Clancy asked following the murders, which allegedly was "do I need an attorney?" The Commonwealth requested Clancy be held without bail.
Clancy's defense attorney Kevin Reddington responded that his client loved her children as evident of photos and memorabilia scattered throughout her home. Further, Reddington listed off the medications that Clancy was on the night of the murders, including Prozac and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors— claiming she was at risk of post-partum psychosis. The defense asserted that Clancy suffered permanent injuries when she jumped from her home window last month, saying she suffered a spinal cord break and became paralyzed from the waist down. Further the defense says Clancy is still at risk of harming herself, as a person stays with her 24/7 to monitor her. The defense asked for the court to grant Clancy's admittance to Spaulding Rehabilitation in Boston for advanced treatment.
It has been two weeks since police and emergency crews arrived at the Clancy residence on Summer Street to find 5-year-old Cora and 3-year-old Dawson strangled to death. The Clancy's third child, 8-month-old Callan, was pronounced dead at a hospital a few days later.
Clancy has been at a Boston hospital since that night, after trying to take her own life. The court proceedings mark the first time since Clancy faced a judge or appeared in public since the beginning of the case.
A pre-arraignment hearing was held at the court on Friday. Though the results of the hearing were sealed, Clancy's defense attorney Kevin Reddington spoke to WBZ's Dan Rea on Nightside with Dan Rea on Friday, asserting that Clancy shouldn't be held criminally liable for her actions. Instead, he says the killings were a result of her being overmedicated and possibly suffering from post-partum depression.
"I think a jury will understand that this woman is a sweet, loving, sensitive, caring person, who cared only for her patients, and of course — first and foremost — for her children," he said.
He said Patrick only left her alone with the children and was never warned not to leave her alone. Reddington said instead of no bail, he wants the judge to allow Clancy to get therapy, perhaps at Spaulding Rehab.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) has more:
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