Lindsay Clancy's trial put postpartrum psychosis on the map. Experts want progress to follow

PUBLISHED Aug 19, 2026, 4:40 PM ET

The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother who killed her three children in January 2023, has entered its fourth week, with the defense presenting expert testimony that she was in the throes of postpartum psychosis and not criminally responsible . Clancy, 36, does not dispute the killings but has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity . Dr. Paul Zeizel testified she heard a "male voice" commanding her to act and found no evidence of malingering . Family members, including her mother and mother-in-law, testified she had been "begging for help" in the months prior . The prosecution argues the act was premeditated, citing her sending her husband out for dinner . The case has amplified a push from experts to have postpartum psychosis formally recognized in the DSM-5, as its current absence hinders diagnosis, research, and treatment .

By Michael Grant | JQJO News

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Explain Framing

Left: Highlights systemic healthcare failures and advocates for maternal mental health reform. Center: Focuses on courtroom testimony, legal arguments, and medical expert opinions neutrally. Right: Emphasizes prosecution arguments about premeditation and criminal accountability for actions.