Lindsay Clancy's lawyer begs jury to show mercy in tense closing arguments: 'She was a damn good mother' - Live updates

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Updated: 10:19 EDT, 27 August 2026 Jury in Lindsay Clancy's murder trial will begin to deliberate this morning after hearing closing arguments from the prosecution and the defense following five grueling weeks of evidence.Defense lawyer Kevin Reddington began closing arguments by begging the jury to show the former nurse mercy, declaring that she was 'a damn good mother.' Prosecutors are seeking to convict Clancy on first-degree murder charges. However, Judge William R Sullivan allowed manslaughter to be added to the jury instructions alongside second-degree murder yesterday. Clancy, 36, strangled her children Cora, five, Dawson, three, and Callan, eight months, to death at her home Duxbury, Massachusetts in January 2023. Clancy has admitted to killing her children but pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity, citing postpartum psychosis, and is seeking to be committed to a state mental health facility rather than face a prison sentence.Follow the Daily Mail for more updates...Lindsay Clancy supporter brings son’s cremated remains to courtLindsay Clancy supporter Danielle Buckley brought her son Evan's cremated remain to the courthouse on Thursday.She told the Daily Mail that she and Evan both struggled with their mental health and he took his own life in 2024.'I was on so many medications that I couldn't even keep track of them all,' Buckley said.'I made my kids start taking showers, 'cause I was I was struggling with the same stuff. I didn't think that I would actively do it, but it was terrifying.'I never thought about taking my children, but I there was a day where I thought I can't keep living like this. So, like I said, just identifying with her struggle, what just happened recently with my son.'She wanted to come to support Clancy because she said they also had bad experiences with the mental health industry.'The big issue that I think we can really address is the healthcare system,' she said.'So many people fall through the cracks. My son fell through the cracks.'On the verdict, Buckley said: 'I just want her to be not guilty. I think that she's paid the price.'If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.The Trial USA podcast takes you inside Lindsay Clancy murder trialOn the latest episode of The Crime Desk's The Trial USA: The Trial of Lindsay Clancy podcast, host Kayla Brantley is joined by crime correspondent Rachel Sharp who has been in court every day covering the murder trial.The trial has become a battle over whether or not Clancy should be criminally responsible for the death of her children with the defence and prosecution submitting opposing psychiatric assessments of the mother of three.In this episode, we hear expert testimony from the defence which claims Clancy was out of control and could not understand the gravity of her own actions, the prosecution's rebuttal and the fiery blows exchanged when a different expert claimed Clancy showed no signs of psychosis.Leading our hosts to consider did Clancy have the capacity to kill?Reddington goes in on prosecution's claim Clancy faked suicide attempt'Why did we spend a week showing you the extent and severity of that suicide attempt,' Reddington said.'The reason we did that is because they were arguing it was a fake suicide attempt.'He said the prosecution described her suicide attempt as 'dinky little cuts,' and 'sliding down the house.''Lindsay screwed up and she hurt herself bad? You know that’s not what happened,' Reddington said.'She made a very significant suicide attempt.'He slammed a coin down on the state table and pointed at the prosecutors looking furious.‘I challenge you to tell the jury why you spent a week on the suicide,' Reddington said.Judge Sullivan warned him to speak to the jury.Reddington says Cora, Dawson and Callan are the victims'When you consider what is at stake here, Cora, Dawson and Callan,' Reddington said as he goes to pick up a poster.'They are the victims in this case.'Reddington went on the say, 'This prosecution has ripped the soul of this defendant.'He said that what ruined the family was medication and the 'lousy medical care that she got.''This young lady did nothing wrong in her life. She was a nurse a daughter a wife and a damn good mother,' Reddington said.Defense begins closing argumentsKevin Reddington has started to deliver closing arguments.He began by thanking the jury for their service.'You have listened to evidence, been fair, listened to the judges instructions,' Reddington said.Manslaughter charge explainedJudge Sullivan explained what the state must prove for manslaughter.ManslaughterShe caused deathsShe intended the conduct that caused the deathsThat her conduct was wanton or recklessJudge explains second-degree murderJudge Sullivan then went over the requirements for second-degree murder.Second-degree murderCaused deaths of Cora, Dawson and CallanAnd intended to kill or cause GBH or do an act that reasonable person would know would likely result in deathThe difference is that the killings do not have the ‘extreme atrocity or cruelty’ element, Sullivan said.Lindsay Clancy becomes emotional as judge reads jury instructionsLindsay Clancy appeared to wipe tears from her eyes as the judge read the names of her children as he gave the jury instructions.Judge explains first-degree murder instructionsJudge Sullivan explained the factors they must consider for first-degree murder.First-degree murder with premeditation:1. Caused the death of Cora, Dawson and Callan2. Intended to kill Cora, Dawson and Callan3. Committed killing with deliberate premeditation Premeditation does not require a certain timeframe - can be days, hours or even seconds.First-degree murder with extreme atrocity or cruelty1. Caused the death of Cora, Dawson and Callan2. Intended to kill or cause great bodily harm (GBH) to Cora, Dawson and Callan3. Knew that, in all likelihood, death would result4. Act was extremely wicked, appalling, horrifying and excessive method For each of these factors, the jury can consider her mental condition at the time of the killing including mental impairment and effects of drugs at the time, Sullivan said.Judge explains criminal responsibilityTo find her guilty of any crime, the state bears burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt that she committed the crime and is criminally responsible, Judge Sullivan said.The judge explained that there are two stages to criminal responsibility that the state must show:1. If she did not suffer mental disease or defect then she can be held criminally responsible2. If she did have a mental disease or defect, the state must show that it did not deprive her of being able to control her conduct or understand it was illegal or wrongClancy has been indicted on three counts of first degree murder - for Cora, Dawson and Callan, Sullivan said.If found guilty of murder, the jury will determine which degree - first or second.Jury instructions being readCourt is beginning today with the judge reading the jury instructions.Judge William Sullivan has noted to the jury that closing arguments are not evidence. He is reminding them that the burden is on the state to prove she is guilty beyond reasonable doubt.Inside the packed courtroomThe room is full to the brim with dozens of media who have shown up for the first time. The court has increased the space for media.Inside the room, the Massachusetts District Attorney Timothy Cruz is here.He is sitting behind the prosecution's table. The only other days he has been here was for openings - and the moment when Buckingham asked Sue Clancy about 'mortal sin.'It was his office that of course decided to prosecute Clancy.There is also a row of Massachusetts State Police officers - several of whom have testified in this case for the state.Clancy has just been brought in by her nurses. She is dressed in a pale blue blouse.Clancy's parents, Mike and Paula Musgrove, are here - as they have been every day. Her sister Allison Ozga is not.With her parents is Reddington's son Patrick Reddington, Whitey Bulger's attorney JW Carney, Dr Paul Zeizel, a family friend and a couple of other defense experts.ADA Shanan Buckingham has a black bow in her hair.