Hundreds of women gathered outside Plymouth Superior Court on Thursday to show support for Lindsay Clancy, who is on trial for the deaths of her three children. The rally, organized by Renee Kimball, drew approximately 300 women and several men, according to The Guardian. Attendees stood silently for over an hour, many wearing pink clothing with phrases such as 'Believe,' 'She Needed Help,' and 'Peace For Lindsay.'
Supporters cite mental health system failures
Clancy, a former labour and delivery nurse, does not deny killing her children—Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan—with resistance bands while her ex-husband Patrick Clancy ran errands. Her defence attorney, Kevin Reddington, argues she should not be held criminally responsible because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and taking powerful drugs to cope with depression at the time.
April Vincent, a paralegal from Providence, Rhode Island, told The Guardian: 'Women are being dismissed, neglected and ignored when we speak up. We're scared because nobody takes us seriously.' The rally sought to raise awareness about how the mental health system fails women, with several attendees saying Clancy's story 'resonated with them.'
Emotional testimony and courtroom breaks
The rally came days after Clancy begged for the trial to be stopped as she became overwhelmed by graphic details of her children's deaths. Renee Stonebridge, who works at the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, had been testifying about the children's eye and brain injuries. Clancy appeared to hyperventilate, making gulping sounds, prompting a 15-minute recess during which Reddington comforted her with his arm around her shoulder.
After court resumed, Judge William Sullivan reminded jurors to separate emotions from the facts of the case. Prosecutors then called Dr. Barbara Olson, who described Cora's neck, arm, and leg injuries and that Dawson died of asphyxia. Clancy put her head in her hands, sobbing, and said, 'I can't do this,' leading to another break where nurses comforted her and took her out of the room.
Defence claims bipolar disorder and medication effects
Reddington has claimed Clancy had bipolar disorder, and that an antidepressant prescribed after Callan's birth worsened her condition. Patrick Clancy, who has since married Dr. Rachel Danis after divorcing Lindsay, testified about his ex-wife's deteriorating mental health, saying she had told him about thoughts of suicide and intrusive thoughts about hurting their children.
Lindsay sought help from specialists in postpartum mental health and was put on several medications before checking into a psychiatric hospital. She was discharged and killed her children 19 days later on January 24, 2023. Lindsay and Patrick have accused medical professionals of failing to properly diagnose, treat, and monitor her ahead of the deaths. Prosecutors allege Lindsay deliberately sent Patrick out on an errand to give herself time to strangle the children with exercise resistance bands. The trial continues.
