Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Prosecutors Say Mom Killed Three Kids; Defense Cites Postpartum Psychosis

8/11/2026

27 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. prosecutors in Massachusetts say Lindsay Clancy, 35, intentionally killed her three children.
The defense argues that postpartum psychosis removed her criminal responsibility.
Dr. Jennifer Tufts testified that Clancy felt anxious and overwhelmed and showed no sign of planning the Jan. 23 2023 murders.
Dr. Sejal Shah described Clancy a week after the killings as calm, cooperative, and exhibiting organized, goal-directed thinking.

History

Historical Context

In June 2001 Andrea Yates drowned her five children, and her 2002 Texas trial brought postpartum psychosis into the legal spotlight, challenging the M'Naghten insanity standard. The 2006 not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict cemented the precedent. By January 2023, Massachusetts prosecutors cited that precedent when defending Lindsay Clancy, whose case again tests postpartum mental-health defenses.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. prosecutors in Massachusetts say Lindsay Clancy, 35, intentionally killed her three children.
The defense argues that postpartum psychosis removed her criminal responsibility.
Dr. Jennifer Tufts testified that Clancy felt anxious and overwhelmed and showed no sign of planning the Jan. 23 2023 murders.
Dr. Sejal Shah described Clancy a week after the killings as calm, cooperative, and exhibiting organized, goal-directed thinking.

1 / 2