What was the verdict in Commonwealth v. Lindsay Clancy?

No verdict as of Aug 31, 2026. Trial ran July 29 – Aug 28, 2026 in Plymouth Superior Court. Jury began deliberations Aug 28 and is still deliberating. Possible outcomes: guilty, manslaughter, or not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility (McHoul).

What is the McHoul standard?

Under Commonwealth v. McHoul, 352 Mass. 544 (1967), a person is not criminally responsible if, as a result of mental disease or defect, they lacked substantial capacity to appreciate wrongfulness or conform conduct to law. Burden on Commonwealth beyond reasonable doubt.

Where can I watch the trial?

Each of the 14 transcript pages links its YouTube court recording via Court TV / Law&Crime / PBS NewsHour. No Rev.com paywall. See /transcripts and /media.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Lindsay M. Clancy — Search Warrant Affidavits

Type: Search Warrant Affidavits (Probable Cause Statements)

Case: Commonwealth v. Lindsay M. Clancy

Court: Plymouth Superior Court / Plymouth District Court

Search Warrant Number: 12-29-2022B (and related warrants)

Date Filed: October 2023 (unsealed)

Total Pages: 299 pages of search warrant applications

Source: Boston.com; CrimeOnline; Inside Edition; MassLive; The Boston Globe

Overview

In October 2023, approximately 299 pages of search warrant applications were unsealed in the case against Lindsay M. Clancy. The warrants were sought by Massachusetts State Police in the months following the January 24, 2023 killings of Cora (5), Dawson (3), and Callan (8 months) Clancy. The affidavits detail the probable cause for searching Clancy's electronic devices, home, vehicles, and medical records, and provide insight into the evidence investigators collected and the timeline of events.

Search Warrants Sought

Massachusetts State Police sought eleven (11) search warrants in the months following the killings, targeting:

1. Clancy's iPhone/cellular telephone

2. Laptop computers (two devices)

3. Exercise bands/workout bands (used as ligatures)

4. Baby monitor (from the family home)

5. Home surveillance cameras/electronic doorbell camera

6. Prescription medications (four bottles seized)

7. Blood and urine samples

8. Fingernail swabs

9. Personal journals/writings

10. Medical records from treating providers

11. Apple iCloud account data

Probable Cause Statement

Investigator's Basis for Probable Cause

Investigators stated in the affidavits that they were aware Lindsay Clancy "used her cellular telephone and her journal to document her mental state and her feelings about her children, in addition to keeping track of her medications, and researching ways to kill."

The affidavits establish probable cause based on:

1. Statements made by Lindsay Clancy after the killings

2. Statements made by Patrick Clancy (husband) to investigators

3. Witness statements from friends, family, and first responders

4. Physical evidence at the crime scene

5. Digital evidence from fitness trackers and phone records

6. Medical records documenting Clancy's mental health treatment

7. Toxicology results from blood testing

Evidence Collected

1. Electronic Devices

iPhone/Cellular Telephone

Clancy's iPhone was seized pursuant to search warrant.

Investigators sought to examine text messages, call logs, internet browsing history, app data, GPS location data, and iCloud backups.

The phone contained evidence of internet searches including "Ways to kill" and "Can you treat a sociopath."

Phone records showed a call with her husband around 5:34 PM on January 24, during the 54-minute window when the killings occurred.

Laptop Computers (2)

Two laptop computers were seized from the family home.

Investigators sought to examine browsing history, documents, communications, and stored data.

2. Exercise Bands / Workout Bands

Exercise bands were identified as the ligatures used to strangle each child.

The bands were collected as physical evidence from the crime scene (basement of 47 Summer Street).

3. Baby Monitor

The home baby monitor was seized.

Investigators sought to determine whether the monitor recorded audio or video during the time of the killings.

The monitor's footage could provide evidence of sounds, activities, and timeline during the crime window.

4. Home Surveillance / Electronic Doorbell Camera

The family had an electronic doorbell camera/surveillance system.

Investigators sought footage to establish timeline, comings and goings, and activities on January 24, 2023.

Footage could confirm when Patrick Clancy left and returned, and Lindsay Clancy's movements.

5. Prescription Medications

Four (4) bottles of medication prescribed to Clancy were seized:

1. Amitriptyline (antidepressant)

2. Diazepam/Valium (prescription #1)

3. Diazepam/Valium (prescription #2)

4. Trazodone (antidepressant/sleep aid)

All four prescriptions had been filled within a couple of weeks prior to the killings.

Patrick Clancy stated his wife had also been prescribed Zoloft, Ativan, Klonopin, Prozac, and Seroquel.

She took as many as four medications a day, always as prescribed.

6. Blood and Urine Samples

Clancy's blood was drawn and tested at approximately 8:18 PM on January 24, 2023.

Toxicology results revealed:

Several medications at therapeutic levels (normal, expected)

Some medications at low or negligible levels

One medication at a toxic level

Highest levels of certain medications occurred around 6:00 PM, suggesting the overdose was taken after the killings

Urine samples were also collected for additional testing.

7. Fingernail Swabs

Swabs were taken from Clancy's fingernails.

Evidence sought: DNA, trace evidence, or biological material that might indicate physical struggle or contact with the children.

8. Personal Journals / Writings

Clancy's journals were seized pursuant to search warrant.

Journal entries were described as:

Clear, organized, and detailed

Including medication tracking and daily functioning notes

Containing references to postpartum anxiety

Noting suicidal thoughts in December 2022 (which she later denied)

Stating she "resented" her other children at times and struggled to feel connection

Prosecutors noted no evidence in writings of delusions, hallucinations, or disordered thinking.

9. Medical Records

Records were sought from multiple treating providers including:

Dr. Jennifer Tufts (psychiatrist)

South Shore Health System

McLean Hospital

Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island

Various emergency rooms visited by Clancy

10. Apple iCloud Account

Investigators sought access to Clancy's iCloud account to recover deleted data, messages, photos, and synced device information.

Timeline of Events (Per Affidavits)

Background Timeline

Date	Event
May 26, 2022	Birth of Callan Clancy (third child)
September 2022	Clancy begins seeing Dr. Jennifer Tufts; diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood
September 2022	Prescribed Zoloft (sertraline) 25mg, increased to 50mg
October 2022	After Zoloft increase, Clancy reports not sleeping for 48 hours, racing thoughts, worsening anxiety, paranoid of getting suicidal thoughts
October 20, 2022	Clancy reports adverse reaction to Dr. Tufts; Zoloft discontinued; Ativan and Benadryl prescribed for sleep
November 16, 2022	Clancy goes to South Shore Hospital ER for severe insomnia, anxiety, palpitations; Trazodone prescribed
November 20, 2022	Patrick's mother (nurse at South Shore) contacts South Shore Perinatal Behavioral Health Program
November 21, 2022	Nurse Practitioner Julie Paul prescribes Prozac
November 25, 2022	After 4 days, Prozac discontinued (intensified insomnia); Ambien, Remeron, and Klonopin prescribed
December 2022	Clancy writes in journal about suicidal thoughts; later denies them
December 2022	Family hires nanny (3 days/week) starting September 2022; ends early December 2022
January 22, 2023	Kyle Carney and wife host Clancys for dinner; Lindsay appears "fairly normal, mostly quiet"
January 24, 2023	Day of the killings

January 24, 2023 — Day of Killings

Time	Event
~5:15 PM	Lindsay Clancy asks husband Patrick to pick up takeout and medication
~5:15 PM	Lindsay checks Apple Maps to estimate how long Patrick will be gone
~5:15 PM	Patrick leaves home
~5:34 PM	Phone call between Lindsay and Patrick; fitness tracker records her climbing 3 flights of stairs
5:15–6:09 PM	54-minute window — Prosecutors allege all three children strangled in basement
~6:09 PM	Patrick returns home
~6:11 PM	911 call received; Lindsay found unconscious outside home after jumping from second-story window
~6:11 PM	Patrick enters home, goes to basement, finds all three children unconscious
~6:11 PM	First responders arrive; resuscitation efforts begin
~8:18 PM	Clancy's blood drawn for toxicology testing

Post-Incident Timeline

Date	Event
January 24, 2023	Clancy hospitalized; children transported to hospital
January 26, 2023	Callan Clancy dies at hospital
February 7, 2023	Remote arraignment; not guilty pleas; held without bail
May 2023	Committed to Tewksbury State Hospital for mental health care
September 15, 2023	Grand jury indictment
October 25, 2023	Search warrant affidavits unsealed

Witness Statements

Patrick Clancy (Husband)

Stated his wife had been prescribed multiple medications: Zoloft, Valium, Trazodone, Ativan, Klonopin, Prozac, and Seroquel.

She took as many as four medications a day, always as prescribed.

He described her as acting like a "zombie."

He had confided in friends about her anxiety and "withdrawals" from Benzodiazepines.

He reported she was suffering from "the worst side effects possible" since going off her Benzodiazepines.

On the day of the killings, she asked him to pick up takeout and medication.

When he returned home, he found Lindsay outside on the ground and called 911.

While on the phone with 911, he entered the basement and found all three children.

He came out of the far room and stated to Officer Josephine: "she killed the kids."

Kyle Carney (Friend of Patrick)

Attended college with Patrick Clancy.

Hosted the Clancys for dinner on January 22, 2023 (two days before the killings).

Stated Lindsay "seemed fairly normal, mostly quiet while on her phone and keeping to herself."

This was the first time he and his wife had seen Lindsay in a couple of months.

Patrick had confided in Kyle about Lindsay's struggles.

Kyle and his wife had spoken with Patrick about engaging with Lindsay "one on one" because she did not have many friends in the area.

Officer Brian Josephine (Duxbury Police)

One of the first police officers to arrive at 47 Summer Street.

Stated the basement "was divided into a left side and right side."

Mr. Clancy came out of the far room and stated "she killed the kids."

All three children found unconscious with obvious signs of severe trauma.

Lindsay Clancy (Statements to Investigators)

Made statements to investigators after the killings.

In a later statement, Clancy said she heard a male voice directing her to commit the acts.

She denied hallucinations to mental health providers prior to the killings.

The first claim of hearing voices came after the killings, during evaluation by a defense expert.

"Researching Ways to Kill" Evidence

One of the most significant findings in the search warrant affidavits was evidence that Clancy used her cellphone to research methods of killing.

Specific Searches Identified:

1. "Ways to kill" — Found in internet browsing history on Clancy's devices

2. "Can you treat a sociopath" — Found in internet browsing history, conducted just days before the killings

Context:

Investigators stated Clancy "used her cellular telephone and her journal to document her mental state and her feelings about her children, in addition to keeping track of her medications, and researching ways to kill."

The court documents did not indicate how investigators first learned of Clancy's alleged research.

The affidavits did not detail additional specific internet searches beyond those identified.

The prosecution argues these searches demonstrate awareness, planning, and intent.

The defense argues these searches occurred in the context of severe mental illness and medication effects.

Digital Evidence Details

Apple Maps Search

Clancy allegedly checked Apple Maps to calculate the time her husband would be away.

This established a 54-minute window (5:15 PM to 6:09 PM) during which the killings occurred.

Prosecutors argue this was engineered time, not coincidental.

Fitness Tracker Data

Clancy's wearable fitness device recorded:

Physical activity patterns

Stair climbing (three flights) at approximately 5:34 PM

Movement consistent with traveling between floors of the home

The data showed she moved deliberately between floors and remained upstairs afterward, consistent with the children being killed in the basement.

Phone Records

Clancy answered her husband's call calmly during the 54-minute window.

She discussed medication and errands normally.

Earlier in the day, she had ordered food from a restaurant, providing correct details (name, phone number, order).

Prosecutors emphasized she showed no confusion, disorganization, or distress during these communications.

Medication Evidence

Medications Seized

Medication	Type	Status
Amitriptyline	Antidepressant (tricyclic)	Seized; filled within 2 weeks
Diazepam (Valium) #1	Benzodiazepine	Seized; filled within 2 weeks
Diazepam (Valium) #2	Benzodiazepine	Seized; filled within 2 weeks
Trazodone	Antidepressant/Sleep aid	Seized; filled within 2 weeks

Medications Previously Prescribed (Per Patrick Clancy)

Medication	Type	Notes
Zoloft (Sertraline)	SSRI Antidepressant	Discontinued after adverse reaction
Ativan (Lorazepam)	Benzodiazepine	Prescribed for anxiety/sleep
Klonopin (Clonazepam)	Benzodiazepine	Prescribed for anxiety
Prozac (Fluoxetine)	SSRI Antidepressant	Discontinued after 4 days (intensified insomnia)
Seroquel (Quetiapine)	Antipsychotic	Prescribed by NP Rebecca Jollotta

Toxicology Findings

Blood drawn at approximately 8:18 PM on January 24, 2023.

Several medications present at therapeutic levels.

Some medications at low or negligible levels.

One medication at a toxic level.

Highest levels of certain medications occurred around 6:00 PM.

Prosecution interpretation: The timing suggests she took the overdose after the killings, not before.

Prosecution expert testimony: These medications do not cause psychosis; no scientific evidence supports that claim at these levels.

Affidavit Descriptions of Clancy's Mental State

Documented Symptoms

The affidavits and associated medical records documented the following symptoms in the months before the killings:

Severe insomnia (sleeping only 3 hours per night for extended periods)

Racing thoughts

Emotional blunting

Dissociation

Paranoia

Suicidal ideation

Intrusive thoughts

"Brain fog"

Loss of motivation

Weight loss (15 pounds in one month)

Inability to feel emotion or connect with children

Described by husband as "zombie-like"

Medical Visits

Multiple emergency room visits for insomnia and anxiety

Self-admission to McLean Hospital (5-day stay)

Visits to South Shore Hospital ER

Calls to crisis hotlines

Multiple provider appointments

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

Score at Women & Infants Hospital: 23 (indicating severe depression)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) score: 21 (higher than threshold for most severe category)

Provider Assessments

Dr. Diaz at Women & Infants concluded Lindsay had "no postpartum depression" and rejected bipolar disorder diagnosis due to "no history of hypomania or psychosis or family history."

This conclusion was challenged as negligent because Dr. Diaz allegedly failed to obtain an adequate history.

Significance of the Search Warrants

The unsealed search warrant affidavits revealed:

1. Scope of Investigation: Eleven separate warrants seeking extensive digital, physical, and medical evidence.

2. Pre-Planning Evidence: Internet searches for "ways to kill" and Apple Maps calculations suggesting premeditation.

3. Medication Complexity: A complex and rapidly changing regimen of psychiatric medications from multiple providers.

4. Mental Health Deterioration: Documented severe decline in mental health over months preceding the killings.

5. Communication Failures: Multiple providers treating Clancy without adequate coordination.

6. Polypharmacy Concerns: The combination and rapid changes in medications potentially complicating her condition.

7. Family Awareness: Friends and family were aware of Clancy's struggles but the full extent of her condition may not have been communicated to providers.

Note: This document compiles information from search warrant affidavits as reported by Boston.com, CrimeOnline, Inside Edition, MassLive, and The Boston Globe. The full 299 pages of warrant applications were unsealed in October 2023. The search warrant number 12-29-2022B is referenced in connection with these filings. Specific warrant contents were reported across multiple news sources and synthesized here.