Trigger Warning: This article contains references to the alleged child physical abuse that some readers may find distressing.

Defense psychologist Dr. Paul Zeizel testified in the Lindsay Clancy case, concluding she had bipolar disorder along with postpartum psychosis. Clancy is accused of murdering her three children by strangulation.

Massachusetts mom’s defense attorney Kevin Reddington has argued that Lindsay Clancy was mentally ill and going through psychosis and hallucinations at the time of the killings. Her husband, Patrick Clancy, has brushed off any bipolar concerns. Zeizel’s testimony indicated Clancy could not distinguish right from wrong at the time due to racing thoughts, confusion, and insomnia.

Reddington asked the psychologist, “If a person is in a psychosis or if I think you said pre-morbidly psychosis, are they able to do things like look things up on a computer? Did she continue to Google the effects of medication, psychosis, numbness, heaviness–unable to do things like that? And if a person is in a psychotic state, are they able to continue to Google and use a computer to look things up?”

The psychologist replied, “Yes. They’re able to use a phone.” The attorney also noted that Clancy drove her daughter to a pediatric appointment that day. 

Zeizel confirmed that patients “can do everyday tasks of living,” establishing that Lindsay Clancy was capable of performing routine activities like taking her children to the doctors and even playing with them in the snow. Later that day, she sent her then-husband to pick up medication from CVS and food from a restaurant.

Reddington asked, “Was it your understanding from talking to her that the husband had taken trips, gone away for weekends, gone on ski trips, had brunches with his friends and was out of the house on a regular basis?” He also asked if Zeizel had conducted any psychological testing.


Zeizel said he administered a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), as well as the Hare Psychopathy Checklist to screen for antisocial personality traits. The results showed no antisocial personality disorder.

Reddington then asked, “Would you agree, sir, that the symptoms of postpartum psychosis would be depression? Is that one? Did Lindsay, in your opinion, have depression?” Zeizel agreed Clancy had anxiety, nervousness, tension, and was tearful and emotional. Reddington further confirmed that Clancy had been vocal about having a hard time taking care of kids and feeling drained of energy.

Ziezel testified, “My opinion is that she did indeed have a mental disease or a defect. That’s a legal construct, not a DSM51, but she had bipolar disorder with postpartum psychosis.” He added, “In addition, she was unable to conform her behaviors to the rule of law, and she had no appreciation for the wrongfulness of her act.” During this period, Clancy was reportedly experiencing extreme insomnia and restlessness.

The courtroom footage has been posted by Law&Crime Trials on YouTube and has drawn over 20,000 views, as the nationally televised trial continues to draw intense public interest. Many viewers remain sharply divided over whether Clancy should be held responsible or whether she was failed by the mental health system around her.

Some also argue that her family did not take the warning signs of her condition seriously. One viewer commented, “There’s no doubt she knew right from wrong. You can be criminally insane but still know right from wrong. They don’t have inhibitions about doing the wrong thing.”

Another one posted, “Voices that only she can hear. Nobody else’s word against anyone else’s. Same with hallucinations and even insomnia. Nobody can prove it. Nobody can say what is in someone else’s mind at all! No expert in the world.”

Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public video record.