Psychologist Says Lindsay Clancy Recalled Hearing 'Kill The Kids, Kill Yourself' On Day Of Murder

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Day 20 of Lindsay Clancy's trial saw an extensive hearing of a rebuttal witness who testified that the Massachusetts mom was suffering from Bipolar II disorder. Dr. Kirk Heilbrun, a forensic psychiatrist testifying for the prosecution in rebuttal, told jurors that Clancy described hearing a voice repeatedly telling her to take her kids' lives before she took her own. His testimony came after the defense argued that Clancy was experiencing severe postpartum psychosis and was unable to control her actions or understand the wrongfulness of what she was doing.

Clancy has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months old.

Psychiatrist describes voices Lindsay Clancy said she heard, diagnoses her with Bipolar II disorder

According to Heilbrun's testimony, the messages Lindsay Clancy reported hearing were not always identical. He told jurors that the former nurse described hearing a voice repeatedly telling her, "This is your last chance. You have to kill the kids so you can kill yourself." At other points, she said she heard statements including “The children will suffer without you” and "You have to take the kids with you."

Heilbrun told the jury that Clancy believed her children could not live without her and would suffer if she were gone. He testified that she "did not like to leave her children," adding that she felt her children “could not be without her” and believed they would suffer without her. 

The forensic psychologist further mentioned that Clancy was still experiencing significant psychological pain for months despite having improved somewhat after treatment at McLean Hospital. Heilbrun said she was "in pain" and "suffering," and despite "doing a bit better than before she went into McLean,” she remained in distress. 

According to Heilbrun, Lindsay had been trying to find a way to end her suffering, "put a stop to it," once and for all. He also diagnosed her with Bipolar II disorder because her history showed a pattern of severe depressive episodes combined with periods of high energy that resembled hypomania, rather than full-blown mania.

Defense says postpartum psychosis drove the killings of Cora, Dawson, and Callan

The testimony directly addresses the central question in the trial: whether Clancy deliberately chose to kill her children or whether severe mental illness left her unable to control her actions. Earlier in the trial, defense expert Dr. Phillip Resnick testified that Clancy experienced both a “command hallucination” and a “delusion of influence” on January 24, 2023, i.e., the day of the killings.

Resnick told jurors that, in his opinion, Clancy's mental illness prevented her from conforming her conduct to the law. He said she believed she was helping her children by taking them with her to heaven rather than leaving them behind. 

However, the prosecution has presented a different interpretation, arguing that the killings were a calculated move, and Clancy intentionally killed her children before jumping off the second-floor window of their home.

Heilbrun also testified about words Clancy allegedly spoke while strangling each child one by one. The suspected mother recalled saying, "Go to God, baby, go to God."

This was the point when the testimony moved into a particularly sensitive territory. Dr. Heilbrun started discussing Lindsay's religious background, noting that she had been raised Catholic. The psychologist said he questioned whether suicide was considered a mortal sin in the Catholic faith. This prompted defense attorney Reddington to object, after which the judge called for a sidebar, and the jury was asked to leave the courtroom.

Earlier testimony from Clancy's family painted a picture of a woman whose mental health had deteriorated significantly after the birth of her youngest child, Callan. Both her mother and mother-in-law testified about the changes they witnessed in Lindsay in the months leading up to the murders. Susan Clancy, her MIL, described Lindsay as a “very nurturing, very loving” mother and said she had been “begging for help.” The defense has used those accounts to support its argument that Clancy was suffering from a serious psychiatric disorder around the time of the killings.

The jury could receive the case for deliberations early next week. What is your take on the trial so far?

Image courtesy: ABC 7 Chicago/YouTube

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