Judge William Sullivan denies mistrial motion in Lindsay Clancy murder trial after religious testimony
Judge William Sullivan denied a motion for a mistrial in the Plymouth Superior Court during the high-profile murder trial of Lindsay Clancy. The motion was filed by defense attorney Kevin Reddington after a rebuttal witness, forensic psychologist Kirk Heilbrun, began discussing his personal understanding of Catholicism and mortal sin. Reddington argued that the religious commentary was intentional misconduct. However, Judge William Sullivan ruled that the religion of the defendant was an inappropriate area of testimony and ordered the jury to disregard the specific comment. Lindsay Clancy is currently on trial for the strangulation deaths of her three children—Cora, Dawson, and Callan—in January 2023. The defense argues that Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder, suggesting she should not be held criminally responsible. Forensic psychologist Kirk Heilbrun testified that while Clancy experienced a voices, she did not report any attempt to stop them, which he noted was an unusual pattern for a command hallucination. Testimony continues Tuesday morning, with closing arguments potentially occurring as early as Wednesday.