The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict and a mistrial was declared on September 4.
A Lindsay Clancy juror says a psychiatrist’s explanation of “altruistic filicide” became an important part of the jury’s 11-1 split in favor of her insanity defense.
Phillip Resnick’s testimony helped jurors understand the defense’s claim about Clancy’s mental state when she killed her three children.
Paula Devlin said forensic psychiatrist Dr. “Altruistic filicide” is a psychiatric term used when a parent kills a child because of a delusional belief that the child will be better off or spared from suffering. The defense said Clancy was experiencing postpartum psychosis and other serious mental health problems when she killed her children.
She then jumped from a second-floor window in what was described as a suicide attempt and was left paralyzed. Clancy was accused of killing her children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months, at the family’s Duxbury home on January 24, 2023.
“I think Dr. Because jurors had also heard about Clancy’s relationship with her children and her history as a mother, devlin said Resnick’s explanation was especially important.
Resnick, his testimony about altruistic filicide was really impactful… All throughout the trial, we had all the witnesses, there had been nothing but good said about Lindsay and how amazing of a mother she was, how much she loved her children.”
Her case is now set for another hearing on September 29, while prosecutors have not decided whether to retry her. Clancy had pleaded not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility.
