{
  "id": 2014183,
  "title": "Psychologist testifies Lindsay Clancy was not criminally responsible in killing of her 3 children",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/psychologist-testifies-lindsay-clancy-was-not-criminally-responsible",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T20:53:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/lindsay-clancy-murder-trial-psychologist-fbf384080f82998939dc76a75ca6ba7d"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lindsay Clancy, facing murder charges for the deaths of her three children, argued in her defense that her mental health issues prevented her from understanding the wrongfulness of her actions, according to testimony presented by Dr. Paul Zeizel, her psychologist. Dr. Zeizel, who had been treating Clancy since the tragic event, testified that Clancy was not capable of conforming her behavior to the rule of law and had no understanding of what she had done. This assertion strongly supports the defense's claim that Clancy should not be held criminally responsible for the murders due to her condition. Clancy, 36, pleaded not guilty, claiming she was suffering from bipolar disorder and a rare mental illness known as postpartum psychosis at the time of the incident. Postpartum psychosis, characterized by severe mental disturbances following childbirth, is estimated to affect 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 women. Prosecutors argued that Clancy had planned the killings meticulously and had lured her husband away by sending him on errands. Dr. Zeizel, who had observed Clancy over an extended period, noted that she had been experiencing mental health issues even before the births of her children, expressing thoughts of suicide and a belief that she would never improve. Her symptoms included psychosis, paranoia, and delusions about her thoughts being heard by others, and she feared losing her children.",
  "summary": "PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Lindsay Clancy didn’t appreciate the “wrongfulness” of killing her three children because of her mental health issues, a psychologist testifying for the defense said at her murder trial Wednesday. The testimony of Dr.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Psychologist Dr. Paul Zeizel testifies Lindsay Clancy was not criminally responsible",
    "Clancy suffers from bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis",
    "1 to 2 out of 1,000 women experience postpartum psychosis"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Psychologist testifies Lindsay Clancy was not criminally responsible in killing of her 3 children",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/psychologist-testifies-lindsay-clancy-was-not-criminally-responsible-2015672",
        "published": "2026-08-19T20:30:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}