This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The legal team for Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three young children, recently pressed a hospital psychiatrist to concede that a person can maintain communication and execute plans even while experiencing psychosis. This line of questioning aimed to challenge the prosecution's depiction of Clancy as an organized and deliberate actor.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Kevin Reddington directly asked Dr. Sejal Shah, a psychiatrist, if individuals could communicate, plan, and act on those plans even amidst a psychotic episode. Dr. Shah affirmed this. Reddington further inquired if symptoms of psychosis always manifested as obvious impairments, such as
