See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and KATRINA SCHOLLENBERGER, US HEAD OF LIVE NEWS and RACHEL SHARP, CRIME CORRESPONDENT Updated: 20:28 BST, 27 July 2026
Lindsay Clancy's ex-husband struggled to compose himself as he spoke about his children on the witness stand in the murder trial over the deaths of the three youngsters. Clancy's former husband Patrick took the stand to testify for the prosecution to answer questions about his previous marriage. He is also a witness for the defense.Clancy, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of strangling their kids – five-year-old Cora, three-year-old Dawson and eight-month-old Callan – using exercise bands while her ex-husband collected takeout food in January 2023.The defense will argue that Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse, is not criminally responsible for the killings as she suffered an acute episode of postpartum depression and psychosis at the time of their deaths.The Massachusetts mother had been prescribed thirteen different psychiatric medications in the months leading up to the tragedy. Prosecutors argue the killings were deliberate and premeditated. After the murders, Clancy allegedly attempted to take her own life by cutting her wrists and neck before jumping from the second-floor window of the family's Duxbury home.Clancy survived but was left paralyzed from the waist down and now uses a wheelchair.Follow the Daily Mail for more updates... Patrick Clancy grows emotional describing childrenPatrick Clancy choked up while describing his children and spoke between deep breaths.'Cora was into princesses. She had a lot of friends. She just liked taking care of people,' he said.Speaking about Dawson, the grieving father said, 'He was into firefighters and trucks. He liked Paw Patrol.'When asked to describe eight-month-old Callan, he said: 'He was a happy baby.'As Patrick spoke, Lindsay Clancy grabbed a tissue and covered her face with her hair.19:45Lindsay Clancy broke down in court todayLindsay Clancy cried as she saw images of herself with her children playing at a indoor waterpark a month before they were killed during the first day of her trial.19:30What is postpartum psychosis? Postpartum psychosis affects one to two of every 1,000 births in the US, or 0.1 to 0.2 percent. Unlike postpartum depression, which comes on gradually and can last for years, postpartum psychosis is a sudden psychiatric emergency.In postpartum psychosis, mothers lose touch with reality, suffering hallucinations, mania, paranoia and rapid mood swings. In many cases, like Clancy's, hallucinations and delusions can tell mothers to hurt themselves or their babies. 'It carries the most risk of the mother harming the baby due to having psychotic experiences,' says Dr Rod Hoevert, clinical and forensic psychologist and assistant professor at Maryville University in St Louis.There isn't one single trigger of postpartum psychosis. It can be brought on by a combination of severe sleep deprivation, drastic hormone fluctuations and a history of mental health conditions, especially bipolar disorder. Rachel H Tribble, a licensed clinical social worker in Florida who works with postpartum parents, told the Daily Mail: 'Any woman with a history of depression, anxiety or other mental health condition could be at higher risk.' 19:1619:10Court is adjourned for the dayCourt abruptly adjourned for the day as Patrick Clancy began discussing the day of the murders. The trial is sent to resume on Wednesday.19:06Patrick Clancy describes final moments with kidsPatrick Clancy described his final moments in the house before he left to pick up the takeout food on the day of the murders.'I came upstairs, I took Callan for a minute. I rocked him by my knees, kissed Cora on the head, and I said I'll be right back,' Patrick said.He said Dawson was eating chicken nuggets on the couch when he left.When Patrick returned from collecting the food, Lindsay had strangled the children with exercise bands, then used multiple methods to try to end her own life.18:59Patrick says Lindsay seemed happy on day of murdersPatrick Clancy testified that his ex-wife 'seemed happy' on the day she murdered their three children.'She was having one of her best days,' he said.Patrick said she seemed to be in a good mood and was playing with the kids.18:55Patrick Clancy begins to answer questions about day of murdersPatrick Clancy testified that while Lindsay Clancy took their daughter Cora to a doctor's appointment, he stayed home with their sons.They were sending photos back and forth. Patrick sent a photo of Dawson because he dressed himself for the first time.Lindsay sent back a photo of Cora.18:39Prosecutors display evidence of Clancy family activities from January 2023Prosecutors played evidence of Patrick and Lindsay Clancy with their children in the days leading up to their murders.A video was shown to the court from Cora's birthday party on January 7.Then the prosecution displayed pictures and videos of the family visiting a water park on January 15.18:14Court is back in sessionPatrick Clancy is back on the stand.17:50Lindsay Clancy's parents leave courthouse for lunch breakLindsay Clancy's parents, Mike and Paula Musgrove, exited the courthouse during the lunch recess after an emotional start to the trial.17:45Terrifying truth about rise of postpartum psychosisExperts sound alarm over critical medication mistake and red flag symptoms, as Lindsay Clancy stands trial for murdering her three children.
