Postpartum psychosis defense as lindsay clancy returns to court seeking to dismiss charges she killed three young children
Defense cites postpartum psychosis
Clancy has not disputed killing her three children in 2023. Her lawyer argues that she experienced postpartum psychosis and could not control her behavior. Prosecutors acknowledge that the 36-year-old had mental health problems but say she acted deliberately and understood that her actions were wrong. Clancy returned to court Monday seeking to have the charges dismissed.
Dispute over the mistrial
Prosecutors argue the court did not need to declare a mistrial. They say it could instead have questioned the jury foreperson or the lone holdout, Michael Desronvil, about reports that he rejected instructions on reasonable doubt and the law.
Juror inquiry raised concerns
The defense says there was no need to investigate the dissenting juror because the foreperson’s complaint did not allege personal issues, bias or outside influence involving him. Clancy’s lawyers argue that singling him out for investigation could have amounted to judicial coercion and improperly intruded into private jury deliberations.
Lawyers contest speech request
Clancy’s attorney Kevin Reddington has given interviews and held walking news conferences during the proceedings. Prosecutors did not speak to reporters. The defense argues a prosecution motion would impose prior restraint by barring speech before it occurs. Attorney Laura McConnell wrote that the government faced a heavy burden to justify such an order, noting there was no jury, no known future jury and no trial date; she said the motion should be denied.
Key points
- Clancy seeks dismissal of charges over the 2023 deaths of her three children.
- Her defense says postpartum psychosis left her unable to control her behavior.
- Prosecutors say Clancy acted deliberately and knew her actions were wrong.
- The defense argues investigating a dissenting juror could have intruded on jury deliberations.