Forensic Psychologist Continues Testimony, Rejects Lindsay Clancy Insanity Defense Claim

Forensic psychologist Kirk Heilbrun is scheduled to continue his testimony Tuesday in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy.

Heilbrun, who evaluated Clancy for prosecutors, testified Monday that he rejects her claim of killing her three children while following commands from a male voice during a postpartum psychotic episode. He concluded Clancy had experienced intrusive thoughts about killing herself for months and decided to attempt suicide in early 2023, taking her children with her because she was convinced that they would suffer without her.

Heilbrun described Clancy's account of the command hallucination as very unusual, noting she never heard the voice before or after strangling 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan. Heilbrun is the second witness for prosecutors, rebutting defense mental health experts who testified last week that Clancy should not be held criminally responsible. The defense asserts an insanity defense, arguing Clancy was in the throes of postpartum psychosis when she strangled her children in January 2023.

Prosecutors maintain her actions were calculated and methodical. Jurors are expected to begin deliberations this week, with closing arguments anticipated Wednesday. On Monday, Judge William Sullivan denied a defense request for a mistrial after Heilbrun mentioned Clancy's Catholic faith and her expectation of being together in heaven with God with her children. Judge Sullivan reprimanded the prosecution for the religious reference and instructed jurors to disregard it.

This marks the second instance religion has been raised during the trial. Heilbrun also testified that Clancy has bipolar disorder and experienced anxiety, depression, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts in the weeks before the killings. Another forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Avram Mack, previously testified for the prosecution, concluding Clancy had neither bipolar disorder nor psychosis. After the killings, Clancy jumped from a second-floor window and remains paralyzed from the waist down.