Judge Stops Prosecutor From Asking Mother-In-Law If Murder Is A Sin

Prosecutors turned to religion on Tuesday, pressing Lindsay Clancy's Catholic mother-in-law with a direct question: did she know murder is a mortal sin? This tactic aimed to prove Clancy understood the gravity of killing her children, countering the defense argument that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. Lindsay Clancy, 36, faces three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Cora, Dawson, and Callan. All three victims were under six years old when they were found strangled inside their family home in Duxbury back in 2023. The prosecution wrapped up its case Monday morning.

Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham put Susan Clancy on the stand Tuesday. She is Lindsay's mother-in-law and a practicing Catholic. Buckingham asked if she knew murder was a "mortal sin." Susan Clancy remained silent. Judge William Sullivan stopped proceedings immediately, called for a sidebar, and removed that specific question from the official record.

Susan Clancy told the jury about her worries regarding Lindsay's mental state during the 2022 holiday season while also describing her as a devoted mother. "Lindsay was struggling. We were all very concerned," Susan Clancy said. "She was very nurturing, very loving. She was a wonderful mother. Wonderful."

The witness explained she first noticed a sharp decline in Lindsay's condition starting in November 2022. "She reached out to me in November and told me that she felt unwell," Susan Clancy said. "She felt... Mostly she had insomnia. She was losing her appetite. She was very anxious and sad." Susan Clancy added that Lindsay was begging for help.

Paula Musgrove, Lindsay's own mother, also spoke to the jury about these mental health struggles. An October 20, 2022 text message from Lindsay shows she asked her mother for assistance at that time. "Mom, will you please come up and stay with me for a bit? I'm really sick. Something is wrong. I had horrible insomnia all night, and I just don't know how I am going to get through the day... It's just really scary, and I don't want to be alone," the message read. Musgrove stated she did not worry about the safety of the children during those moments of crisis.

The defense will present its case Wednesday morning. Their goal is to convince jurors that Lindsay Clancy was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis when she took the lives of her three children.