Opening statements underway in trial of Lindsay Clancy, Duxbury woman charged with killing her children. Follow live updates. – The Boston Globe
Prosecutor says Patrick Clancy texted wife morning of killings — 10:21 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Buckingham told jurors that Patrick Clancy had texted Lindsay a photo of Dawson “jumping for joy” while she was at the doctor’s with their daughter.
Around 4 p.m., Lindsay Clancy searched for takeout and “searched how much time” it would take Patrick Clancy to get to a Plymouth restaurant, which wasn’t their normal takeout spot.
Prosecutor says jury will hear from long list of witnesses — 10:19 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Buckingham told jurors “the list of witnesses” is quite long in the case.
Over the next few weeks, she said, jurors will get “a clear picture” of what was happening in the Clancy household in January 2023.
On Jan. 24, 2023, Buckingham said, it had recently snowed and the children were home, and Clancy brought Cora to a doctor’s appointment.
Prosecutor begins opening — 10:18 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham said Cora Clancy had just turned 5 at the time of the killings.
Dawson Clancy was 3, Buckingham said, and “funny, full of energy. .. And he spoke with a raspy little voice.”
Callan was 8 months old, she said.
All three children were killed when “one by one” when Clancy pulled on exercise bands around their necks “until their little bodies were limp and lifeless.”
Opening statements are underway — 10:13 a.m.
By Amanda Kaufman, Globe Staff
The prosecution will deliver its opening statements first, followed by the defense.
Judge warns jurors against outside coverage — 10:11 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Sullivan advised jurors not to discuss the case with anyone while it’s ongoing, adding that they’re barred from watching or reading news coverage of the proceedings.
“You must find the facts of this case based only on the evidence” presented in court, Sullivan said.
He also told the jury not to visit any places described in testimony, outside the formal crime scene view.
“We need to ensure that a fair and just trial” proceeds, Sullivan said.
He said jurors “are not sitting tomorrow.”
What is a first-degree murder charge? — 10:10 a.m.
By Sean Cotter, Globe staff
Lindsay Clancy is charged with first-degree murder, which carries a sentence of life in prison.
As Judge Sullivan spoke to the jury at the start of the case, he noted that if the jury convicts, they must decide between first- or second-degree murder, which carries a charge of 15 years to life in prison.
Sullivan told the jury that a killing is elevated to first-degree murder if it’s done with “extreme atrocity or cruelty” or with “deliberate premeditation.” In this case, the Plymouth District Attorney’s office will be arguing both of those.
Ultimately, the jury won’t be deciding on that for weeks, until after they hear lengthy testimony.
“You must keep an open mind throughout this case,” Sullivan told the jurors.
Judge says jury must keep an open mind — 10:09 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Sullivan told jurors they must keep an open mind and not decide their verdict until “the entire case” is presented and deliberations start.
He said jurors can take notes if they wish.
“We can’t let you take them home,” Sullivan said. He said they’re stored securely every night and destroyed once the trial concludes.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Sullivan told jurors that he will sometimes have to speak with the lawyers out of the earshot of the jury, which is called a sidebar.
“It can be annoying, I know that,” Sullivan said, adding that jurors can stand and stretch during sidebar conferences. “Don’t discuss with any other jurors” what’s happening during a sidebar conference.
Judge says jurors will view crime scene — 10:05 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Sullivan told jurors they will go on a view of the crime scene.
“Your function is to determine the facts in this case,” Sullivan said, adding that “you alone will determine whether to believe any witness, and what extent to which you do believe that witness. … I have no opinion as to what your verdict should be.”
Judge continues addressing jury — 10:03 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Judge Sullivan told jurors that Clancy has been charged with three counts of murder, and that the jury will decide whether she’s guilty of first-degree or second-degree murder, should the panel vote to convict.
He said a defendant “is not criminally responsible for her conduct if she has a mental disease or defect, and as a result of that disease or defect, lacks the substantial capacity either to appreciate the criminality or wrongfulness of her conduct, or to conform her conduct to the requirements of the law.”
Judge addresses jurors — 9:57 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Judge Sullivan told jurors the oath they took to serve is the same oath that’s been given in Massachusetts courthouses for centuries.
Sullivan said jurors “are not to draw any inference of guilt” from an indictment, as Clancy is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Judge polls jurors — 9:53 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Judge Sullivan began with routine questioning of the jurors to ensure they’ve avoided outside coverage of the case.
The clerk then swore them in to perform their duties.
By Travis Andersen and Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
Judge William F. Sullivan called both sides to sidebar just after 9:30 a.m. He apologized for the delayed start which he attributed to technological issues.
Because of the sidebar, the Court TV cameraman is only able to film the courtroom seal.
After Sullivan greeted her from the bench, Clancy said “good morning, your honor.”
Lindsay Clancy arrives to court, judge takes bench — 9:31 a.m.
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
Lindsay Clancy, wearing a long sleeve pink blouse, was wheeled into court just before 9:30 a.m. in her wheelchair by a female court officer.
Three nurses who accompanied her are seated behind her in the front row of spectator section.Judge William F. Sullivan just took the bench.
Patrick Clancy arrives to court house — 9:30 a.m.
By Jenna Perlman, Globe Staff
Patrick Clancy, the ex-husband of Lindsay Clancy, arrived at the court house around 9:20 a.m. Patrick is expected to be the first witness called Monday.
Lindsay Clancy trial: Patrick Clancy arrives to court house
Courtroom packed ahead of trial’s start — 9:25 a.m.
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
There are about a hundred people in the courtroom, including dozens of members of the media. Lindsay Clancy has not arrived.
Clancy’s parents arrived a few minutes ago and are seated in the second row with a young woman. The front row is reserved for the two nurses who will accompany Clancy to court each day.
Judge has barred media from posting audio of husband’s 911 call, autopsy photos of children — 8:35 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
The judge presiding over Clancy’s triple murder trial barred the media and the public from posting audio of her husband’s 911 call when he discovered their slain children, as well as autopsy photos of the victims.
Judge William F. Sullivan ruled that the media “shall not record, display, reproduce, distribute, or otherwise disseminate” the 911 recording and autopsy photos.
Sullivan issued his ruling in response to a motion from Clancy’s now-former husband, Patrick Clancy, who had sought the impoundment of the 911 audio and photos.
In addition to the press, Sullivan wrote, his order “shall apply” to the general public as well.
Patrick Clancy is expected to testify first — 8:15 a.m.
By Sean Cotter and Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
Patrick Clancy, former husband to Lindsay Clancy, is expected to testify as the first witness in his former wife’s murder trial.
Here’s some key things to know about him ahead of his testimony.
Here’s a look at the jury seated for the trial, and the process it took to select them — 8:00 a.m.
By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff
A jury of 12 women and six men — including six alternates — will decide Clancy’s fate.
Jury selection, which was held over four days, was completed last Thursday, but not without a setback earlier in the day. Two jurors, a man and a woman, who had been seated earlier, returned to court saying they couldn’t serve.
Their reasons for seeking removal weren’t publicly disclosed, but it appeared the man was concerned about the financial strain of missing work for a lengthy trial.
He could be overheard saying, “50 bucks a day,“ which is the amount of compensation the state pays a juror starting on the fourth day they serve on a jury. Employers are required to pay jurors their salary for the first three days they serve, according to the state’s website.
Lindsay Clancy case shows gaps mothers face in postpartum mental health care — 7:50 a.m.
By Sarah Rahal, Jason Laughlin, and Chloe Craft, Globe Staff
As jurors prepare to weigh whether Lindsay Clancy is guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of her children, a second question hangs over her trial: Can women with severe postpartum mental health symptoms get the full range of care they need in Massachusetts?
She and her ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, argue in separate lawsuits against her health care providers that she was misdiagnosed, shuffled among practitioners, and overmedicated with around a dozen different prescriptions, many of which made her symptoms worse.
If Clancy, a labor and delivery nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital, could not find appropriate care, one might wonder, what are the odds of other moms, especially those less savvy about the medical system, getting the treatment they need?
Jurors underwent screening process that was unusual, intense, and personal — 7:40 a.m.
By Shelley Murphy, Travis Andersen, and Sean Cotter, Globe Staff
The questionnaire jurors had to complete included a flurry of questions aimed at weeding out those who could not fairly consider Clancy’s insanity defense or couldn’t be impartial because of strong opinions about mental health illnesses and treatment.
Their responses were confidential, but the questions nonetheless offer insight into the painstaking effort to give Clancy a fair trial.
They included whether a prospective juror had been diagnosed with postpartum depression, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder, or whether a family member has.
They were also asked whether they or a family had an experience with the mental health system that would prevent them from being fair and impartial.
What to know about Lindsay Clancy’s triple murder case as the trial begins — 7:30 a.m.
By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff
Prosecutors allege that Lindsay Clancy strangled her three children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months, with exercise bands in the basement of her home on Jan. 24, 2023, after sending her husband out to pick up a food order.
Authorities say she then cut her wrists and leapt from a second-story window in a failed attempt to end her own life. She remains paralyzed from the waist down.
Clancy has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, each of which carries a mandatory sentence upon conviction of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
She had pleaded not guilty to three additional counts of strangulation or suffocation, but prosecutors dropped those counts earlier this month, stating in court papers that they’ll “be subsumed into the murder charges” and are “therefore redundant.”
Clancy’s lawyer, Kevin J. Reddington, is not disputing that she killed her children but has said in court papers and legal filings that he plans to mount what’s commonly known as an insanity defense, asserting her mental state at the time rendered her unable to conform her behavior to the law.
Reddington has asserted that Clancy was battling postpartum issues and had been prescribed 13 different medications in the months leading up to the killings, a regimen that “caused homicidal ideation, suicidal ideation.”
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com. Shelley Murphy can be reached at shelley.murphy@globe.com. Follow her @shelleymurph. Hazel Nystrom can be reached at hazel.nystrom@globe.com.