Lindsay Clancy said she “heard male voice ordering her” to kill children, psychologist testifies during murder trial
Psychologist Testimony on the Voice Claim
Wertynews.com – On day 15 of the murder trial in Plymouth Superior Court, a forensic psychologist took the stand to describe what Lindsay Clancy said she heard in the hospital after her three children were killed. Dr. Paul Zeizel, a clinical and forensic psychologist, testified that Clancy reported a male voice ordering her to kill her children and then take her own life. The psychologist's account of what Lindsay Clancy said she heard became a central element of the defense narrative.
The defense called four witnesses Tuesday, one day after the prosecution rested its case following 72 witnesses. Among the first to testify was Clancy's mother, Paula Musgrove, followed by Patrick Clancy's mother, the children's other grandmother.
Zeizel met with Clancy while she was hospitalized. At the time, no one was permitted into her room until defense attorney Kevin Reddington secured a court order allowing the psychologist access. Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Dan Lawlor, who guarded the door, also testified about the circumstances surrounding Zeizel's entry.
"She said she heard a male voice ordering her, telling her that she didn't have any choice but she had to kill her children and then kill herself," Zeizel recounted.
Reddington pressed Zeizel on whether Clancy was faking symptoms. The psychologist said his testing showed she was not, describing her as "an honest citizen." He also confirmed he never suggested the voice narrative to Clancy or asked her to fabricate details.
During the hospitalization, Clancy asked to use Zeizel's cellphone to reach her then-husband, Patrick Clancy. Zeizel said he allowed the call "out of human compassion." Patrick did not answer the first attempt; two days later he picked up. Clancy told him she loved him and expressed significant emotion during the conversation. The couple has since divorced, and Patrick has remarried.
Medical Examiner Review and Cross-Examination
Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, a Brown University professor and former Rhode Island chief medical examiner, testified by video conference after the lunch recess. Her prior work included the 1999 EgyptAir Flight 990 crash investigation and the Station nightclub fire that killed 100 people. She also testified in the Karen Read trial regarding John O'Keefe's injuries.
Reddington asked Laposata to review Clancy's medical records. Laposata described Clancy's injuries from jumping out a window after the killings, noting a "freefall dive head first" from approximately 13 feet onto hard ground. Prosecutors had argued Clancy planned the murders before staging a suicide attempt that left her paralyzed and wheelchair-bound.
On cross-examination, prosecutor Shanan Buckingham noted that Laposata's office had been cited for 10 violations and unsafe conditions during her tenure. Laposata characterized the issues as minor, including a burnt-out hallway lightbulb. Buckingham also pressed the point that despite the reported head-first fall, Clancy sustained no skull fracture or visible external head injuries.
The prosecution objected to defense witness Dr. Donald Condie. Jennifer Sprague and Shanan Buckingham handled questioning for the state, while Kevin Reddington represented Clancy's defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Lindsay Clancy trial being held? The trial is taking place in Plymouth Superior Court in Massachusetts.
What did the psychologist say Clancy reported hearing? Dr. Paul Zeizel testified that Lindsay Clancy said she heard a male voice instructing her to kill her children and then commit suicide.
How many witnesses did the prosecution call? The prosecution rested its case after calling 72 witnesses.
What is Dr. Elizabeth Laposata's professional background? She is a Brown University professor who served as Rhode Island's chief medical examiner for 12 years, including work on the EgyptAir Flight 990 crash and the Station nightclub fire.