Lindsay Clancy's defence calls TikTok influencer to testify in murder trial

Lindsay Clancy was once an average mum of three; but she's now on trial for murdering her children.

The case is not about whether she did so, but rather, what her state of mind was at the time.

It's a case that has not only captured the attention of the US public, but also the world. Conspiracy theories abound on social media, many displaying a total misunderstanding of the recorded and significant mental health issues Clancy was suffering leading up to the deaths.

The ‘armchair experts’ rant that “mental health issues are no excuse” - but amongst the thousands of opinionated posts are some from actual medical professionals.

One of them is so strong, it's now being relied on by Clancy's defence team.

Emily Thorndike, a licensed clinical social worker, worked at McLean Hospital, the same place Clancy was receiving treatment, for eight years.

She's posted about the establishment recently, alarmed by how it's is being portrayed by the prosecution.

"We need to correct the misinformation that the prosecutor is saying about McLean and what the stay there is like.

“The prosecution is trying to say that if Lindsay really wanted to get better, why didn't she engage in treatment more? But let me tell you how it actually works.”

Her viral TikToks have finally caught the attention of Clancy's defence team, who hold her opinion so highly, they have called her testify on the mother's behalf.

It's a move that's surprising, but also “a sign of the times”, as people increasingly get their news from social media - and, it seems, professional tip offs, too.

@glennbostontv From social media feed to the witness stand. It’s a sign of the times in the Lindsay Clancy trial and high profile trials everywhere. @NBC10 Boston ♬ original sound - glennbostontv

As one journalist reporting on the case said, “From social media feed to the witness stand. It’s a sign of the times in the Lindsay Clancy trial and high profile trials everywhere.”

It's also hopefully a warning to some influencers who discuss headline news to fact check their content.

Lindsay Clancy's lawyer explaining why Emily Thorndike is being called “at the eleventh hour”. Image: TikTok

What did Lindsay Clancy do?

The 35-year-old Clancy is claiming what is commonly known as an "insanity defence" in the US, in the deaths of Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callen on January 24, 2023. 

Whilst Clancy has admitted guilt, the trial's main question is about whether the children's' deaths were pre-meditated, or caused by the postpartum psychosis for which she was being treated.

On the night of the murders, Clancy sent her husband, Patrick Clancy, to the pharmacy and to collect takeaway for dinner. In that time, she strangled Cora, Dawson and Callen with exercise rubber bands, and jumped out of her second-story bedroom window.

She was the only one to survive the night.

Clancy was on multiple medications for her mental health, and had sought professional help, in the weeks prior to the fatal night.

The timing of tasking Patrick with the errands is the main factor in the premeditation accusation.

The case continues.