Lindsay Clancy suffering 'command hallucination' when she killed children, court hears
During the trial of Lindsay Clancy, a forensic psychiatrist testified that she was suffering from 'command hallucinations' and postpartum psychosis when she killed her three children. The defense argues that her mental state prevented her from understanding the nature of her actions.
Why it matters
The case brings significant public and legal attention to the severity of postpartum psychosis and the complexities of mental health defenses in criminal law.
Image source, Getty Images By Ana Faguy Published 22 August 2026, 04:43 BST Warning: This story contains distressing details and discussion of attempted suicide
Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mum who has been charged with murdering her three children, was suffering from a "command hallucination" at the time, a forensic psychiatrist has told the jury in her trial.
The defence, which rested its case on Friday, does not dispute that Clancy carried out the killings but say she has pleaded not guilty to murder charges because she was experiencing postpartum psychosis.
Forensic psychiatrist Phillip Resnick, the defence's final witness, testified about the effects of postpartum psychosis.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, alleged she made a calculated decision to intentionally kill her children - Cora, five, Dawson, three, and Callan, who was eight months.
Lindsay Clancy's trial puts postpartum psychosis in the spotlight
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