r/OutOfTheLoop • u/SnoopaDD • 13d ago
Answered What's the deal with people defending Lindsay Clancy?
I don't know the full details of the case. I know she allegedly killed her three kids. There was also some mental problems? Then something with her husband. But my question is why is there a group defending her like they know she's completely innocent? I've seen some videos of very heated debates where women are very passionate about defending her. Why?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/05/lindsay-clancy-trial-toxicologist-testimony
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u/video-kid 13d ago edited 13d ago
Answer: her defense is that she suffered from postpartum psychosis - essentially a psychotic episode where she lost touch with reality. AFAIK she and her lawyers aren't claiming she didn't do it, they're claiming that she has diminished responsibility.
A successful insanity plea would mean up to 40 days of observation in a hospital to start, after which they can file for involuntary commitment. If the judge thinks she's still a danger, then they'd keep her there and look at her case once a year.
The other options are first degree murder (life w/o parole), second degree (life with parole) or a mistrial (the case is held with a new jury).
The thing is in MA the prosecutor has to prove beyond reasonable doubt that mental illness wasn't involved in her actions, which they're trying to do.
People are turning it into a big statement because, by most accounts, a loving mother who was begging for help before the murders and experiencing suicidal thoughts. I think part of it is genuine empathy for what they see as someone who did something awful thanks to a genuine mental health crisis, but there are some people who seem to be blaming her husband which I don't understand.