Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
I used to ask a question every week on my blog and I've decided to start again, even if it doesn't happen every week.This week I've chosen something sensitive. I trust you all not to engage in fisticuffs.
The question is the following: What do you think about the recent trial––or perhaps I should say mistrial––of Lindsay Clancy?
Clancy was charged with three counts of first-degree murder for killing her three children on January 24, 2023: Five-year-old Cora, Three-year-old Dawson, and Eight-month old Callan. She was also charged with three counts of suffocation or strangulation because of the method of death. These charges were dropped as redundant before the trial began.
The trial began in July, 2026. Clancy's lawyers argued an insanity defense.
When the arguments ended. jurors deliberated and were unable to reach a verdict because of one holdout juror. Eleven jurors voted to acquit Clancy. One refused and was described as acknowledging he held doubt about Clancy's guilt but would not follow the judge's instructions to apply that doubt to his vote.
Now, I want you to vote. Lindsay Clancy: Guilty as charged or not guilty by reason of insanity. What do you know about the case that led you to your decision?
I'm not going to tell you what I think, yet, but I bet you can guess.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
I literally did not follow this case at all so I don't have an opinion. I only heard about it after the verdict and even then I didn't pay attention to it.
ReplyDeletexoxo
What a difficult and heartbreaking question, Janie, this is one of those cases where it feels like there's no side without sorrow. Personally, I find it hard to form a judgment without knowing all the details of the trial, but the fact that eleven out of twelve jurors voted to acquit does seem to say something about how convincing the insanity argument was. I'm curious to hear your take when you share it.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Diana. There's no side without sorrow. I'm still learning details from the trial, and many of the details are shocking.
DeleteJanie, I didn't really follow the trial as I found the subject so distressing that I couldn't allow my psyche to become involved in it. I am thinking that if 11 out of the 12 jurors were going to vote to acquit, the defense must have had a strong case. The whole thing is just tremendously sad.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is very sad. I wish I had seen the trial because I would like to know more about how the lawyers argued their cases.
DeleteJust to let you know I am caught up on your posts and I was here. Never heard of this lady or her trial so I don't feel I can vote. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't follow the trial to any great extent, so I don't think I can give an informed opinion. That said, from what I read, Lindsay apparently sufferred from post-partum psychosis, so an insanity plea would be logical. Whether this was proven or not, I have no idea.
ReplyDeleteEleven jurors thought the insanity defense was proven. I want to learn more about how it was proven.
Delete11 people were right, one was wrong in my opinion. She clearly had tried to get help for her mental illness and was not given it. A very sad outcome. Gigi
ReplyDeleteYes, she tried very hard to get help, and her mother-in-law tried to get help for her, too. Women are expected to be happy and bonding with their babies after they give birth. I don't think anyone is taking care of the women who deal with postpartum depression.
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