Lindsay Clancy trial: Psychiatrist cross-examined on postpartum psychosis claims
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three young children, is in its tenth day with the cross-examination of her first psychiatrist.
- Clancy's defense claims she suffered from extreme postpartum psychosis and was overmedicated, while prosecutors argue she was aware of her actions.
- Testimony has focused on Clancy's mental state, her prescription drug use, and her interactions with mental health professionals, including calls to a suicide hotline.
The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children in January 2023, entered its tenth day with the ongoing cross-examination of her former psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Tufts. Clancy, 35, faces first-degree murder charges for the deaths of her 5-year-old daughter Cora, 3-year-old son Dawson, and 8-month-old son Callan at their home in Duxbury, Massachusetts.
denied feeling suicidal but was close to feeling suicidal
Clancy's defense team contends that she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis and had been overmedicated at the time of the killings. Conversely, prosecutors maintain that Clancy was fully aware of her actions and suggest she feigned a suicide attempt after the murders. The trial is being broadcast live, allowing public access to the proceedings.
Dr. Tufts, who began treating Clancy via telehealth in September 2022, testified for the prosecution last Friday. During cross-examination by defense attorney Kevin Reddington, Tufts stated that Clancy had denied feeling suicidal but admitted to being "close to feeling suicidal." Reddington questioned Tufts about whether she had inquired about Clancy's calls to a suicide hotline. Tufts expressed surprise upon learning that Clancy had called the hotline twice and was reportedly turned away on both occasions.
It does surprise me, yes. It surprises me that she called them twice
Reddington also pressed Tufts on her prescription of Zoloft, an antidepressant, to Clancy. He asked if she had informed Clancy about the potential side effect of suicidal thoughts and actions, particularly noting the "black box warning" associated with the drug. Tufts responded that she did not mention this side effect as she believed it was not relevant, as the warning was specifically for children. Reddington challenged this, suggesting Clancy was afraid of the medication and its side effects, though Tufts stated Clancy eventually wanted to take the pills to "feel better."
Did you tell her that one of the normal side effects was suicidal thoughts and actions and ideations? "That's specifically in children. So I don't think I mentioned that because it wasn't relevant"
Further questioning by Reddington aimed to scrutinize Tufts' credentials. He pointed out that while Tufts advertised expertise in postpartum depression and psychiatry on her website, her experience in that specific area was limited to one month during her residency. Reddington asked if she considered this advertising negligent, to which Tufts replied that she did not believe she was negligent and that her website indicated it was an "interest" rather than a claim of expertise.
She was afraid of the side effects
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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