Lindsay Clancy said “I can’t do this” through sobs during graphic testimony at her triple murder trial on Aug. 12.
Clancy, 36, is accused of killing her three children – Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months – at their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in January 2023.
Prosecutors allege she orchestrated the murders by sending her husband to pick up takeout food and medicine, then strangling the children with exercise bands while he was gone. Afterward, Clancy cut her wrists and neck and jumped out of a second-story window, leaving her paralyzed.
Clancy’s defense argues that she lacks criminal responsibility because she was suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis at the time of the killings – also known as an insanity defense. She has pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Here’s what to know about the Aug. 12 testimony.
Lindsay Clancy says ‘I can’t do this’ through sobs
Lindsay Clancy sobs, says ‘I can’t do this’ during emotional testimony
Lindsay Clancy sobbed in court during graphic testimony about her children’s deaths.
On Aug. 12, prosecutors called two medical examiners – Dr. Renee Stonebridge and Dr. Barbara Olson, who reviewed the bodies of Cora, Dawson and Callan – to testify.
Clancy was heard loudly sobbing during the graphic testimony about the injuries to her children’s bodies. She had her head down on the defense table while at times holding her defense attorney Kevin Reddington’s hand.
After Stonebridge’s testimony, judge William Sullivan called for a short recess before court resumed for Olson to take the stand.
While Olson explained certain injuries to Cora’s neck, Clancy could be heard saying, “I can’t do this,” through wails. Sullivan then called another recess.
After the break, Olson wrapped up her testimony as Clancy continued bawling with her head down. Reddington did not cross examine either Stonebridge or Olson.
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Throughout the trial, which began in late July, Clancy has been emotional at times during particularly graphic testimony.
Prior to Olson taking the stand, Sullivan reminded jurors to separate emotions from the facts of the case.
“The law says you must separate any emotional reaction on your part from the informational value and weight that the evidence produces,” Sullivan said. “Your verdict in this case is going to have to be based solely on the evidence and it cannot be based on sympathy, or anger, or passion or prejudice.”
Before the trial began, Sullivan barred the media from disseminating certain graphic pieces of evidence, according to The Patriot Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Clancy’s ex-husband Patrick Clancy, who testified early on, filed the motion to restrict sharing of the children’s autopsy photos as well as the 911 call audio he made on the night of the killings.
The 911 call was played in court for jurors on July 29. Autopsy photos of the children have been displayed on monitors only visible to jurors in the courtroom in accordance with the motion.
Contributing: Peter Blandino, The Patriot Ledger, USA TODAY Network
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.