Psychologist: Lindsay Clancy Was Not Acutely Psychotic When Killing Children
Psychologist testified Lindsay Clancy did not have acute psychosis during her children's killings.
Why it matters: This case highlights the legal and forensic difficulty in assessing mental health's role in criminal responsibility. Outcomes may influence how courts handle mental illness defenses like postpartum psychosis.
- Dr. Kirk Heilbrun testified Clancy was not experiencing acute psychosis during the January 2023 killings.
- He diagnosed Clancy with bipolar 2 disorder but said she understood her actions at the time.
- Defense experts argued Clancy was profoundly psychotic and unaware that her acts were wrong.
- The trial, involving Clancy's alleged postpartum psychosis, is expected to proceed to closing arguments soon.
On August 24, 2026, forensic psychologist Dr. Kirk Heilbrun provided key testimony in the high-profile trial of Lindsay Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse accused of killing her three children in January 2023. Dr. Heilbrun stated that although Clancy was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder, she did not suffer acute psychosis at the time of the killings. He explained that Clancy was aware of her actions during the tragic event, contradicting the defense’s claim of psychosis.
The defense argues that Clancy experienced postpartum psychosis, a severe mental health condition that impaired her ability to understand right from wrong. Defense psychologists Dr. Phillip Resnick and Dr. Paul Zeizel testified that Clancy was profoundly psychotic and lacked appreciation of her acts' wrongfulness. Dr. Zeizel said, "She was unable to conform her behavior to the rule of law. She had no appreciation for the wrongfulness of her act."
Prosecutors maintain that despite mental illness, Clancy was capable of premeditation and understanding the nature of her actions. Dr. Heilbrun noted that Clancy's reported hallucination lasted about 18 minutes and was not sustained.
The case has drawn attention for its challenging examination of mental health's intersection with criminal law, especially relating to postpartum psychosis. Clancy, 36, remains paralyzed following a suicide attempt after the incident and has pleaded not guilty. The trial is expected to conclude with closing arguments later this week, shaping legal perspectives on mental illness defenses.
A motion for mistrial was denied after inadmissible testimony referenced Clancy’s Catholic faith during proceedings.
By the numbers:
- 36 — Lindsay Clancy's age at trial
- January 2023 — month of the killings
- 3 — number of Clancy's children killed
- 18 minutes — duration of hallucination reported by Clancy
What's next: Closing arguments are expected later this week, concluding the trial phase focused on Clancy's mental state.