Lindsay Clancy Had ‘Moral Awareness’ When She Killed 3 Children, Psychologist Testifies

PLYMOUTH, MA. (THECOUNT) — A forensic psychologist testified Tuesday that Lindsay Clancy understood killing her three children was wrong and illegal, despite suffering from a mental disease or defect at the time, offering prosecutors a rebuttal to the defense’s claim that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis when the children were killed.

Dr. Kirk Heilbrun, a rebuttal witness for the prosecution, told the court that he ultimately considers Clancy criminally responsible for the January 2023 killings. The defense has argued that Clancy was not criminally responsible because of severe postpartum psychosis.

Heilbrun returned to the witness stand Tuesday to continue testimony about his evaluation of Clancy, which was conducted over three days in April 2026. His testimony focused on whether Clancy understood the nature and wrongfulness of her actions on Jan. 24, 2023.

Heilbrun testified that he believes Clancy had a mental disease or defect at the time of the killings but nevertheless understood that what she was doing was illegal. He said her moral awareness of the wrongfulness of the killings was affected by her strong desire to die and her belief that she could not leave her children behind if she were dead.

The psychologist said some of Clancy’s thinking appeared distorted but testified that his evaluation more strongly supported the killings as a serious suicide attempt and what he described as “altruistic filicide,” rather than an act caused by acute psychosis involving hallucinations.

Heilbrun previously testified that his conclusion was based in part on Clancy reporting that she heard a voice instructing her to kill her children and herself only once, during the killings. He also pointed to what he described as an unusual initial response when her husband, Patrick Clancy, returned home and asked what had happened.

On Tuesday, Heilbrun testified that depression and hopelessness influenced Clancy’s decision-making, along with what he described as a desire to “end the pain” she had experienced since October 2022. Despite those factors, he said she maintained control over when and how the killings were carried out.

Heilbrun ultimately testified that Clancy was “criminally responsible” for her actions that day.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Kevin Reddington questioned Heilbrun about his professional background and Clancy’s history of treatment for anxiety and depression following the birth of her youngest child. Reddington also questioned Heilbrun about the medications Clancy had been prescribed and whether she had been overmedicated.

Reddington asked whether Heilbrun agreed that Clancy had been a good mother. The psychologist agreed.

The defense previously presented testimony from several witnesses regarding Clancy’s mental state. Among them was psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick, who testified that he believed Clancy was “frankly psychotic” when she killed her children.

Resnick also testified that Clancy experienced what he characterized as command hallucinations instructing her to kill her children and herself. His testimony supported the defense position that Clancy’s mental condition prevented her from being criminally responsible for the killings.

Clancy’s husband returned home on Jan. 24, 2023, after running errands at her request and discovered the children. Clancy had also attempted suicide and survived.

The competing psychological testimony is central to the trial, with prosecutors maintaining that Clancy intentionally killed the children while retaining sufficient awareness and control to be held criminally responsible. The defense contends that postpartum psychosis rendered her legally insane at the time.

If Clancy is found not guilty by reason of insanity, she could be committed to a secure state mental health facility for an indefinite period. A first-degree murder conviction could result in life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Closing arguments are expected later this week after prosecutors call one final rebuttal witness.

Plymouth is located in Plymouth County on Massachusetts’ southeastern coast, approximately 40 miles south of Boston and about 45 miles southeast of Dedham. The trial is being held in Plymouth, where the court has heard testimony concerning the January 2023 killings and Clancy’s mental state.

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