Beyond All Repair: The Clancy Trial

4.6 (3.2K)
True Crime
Series

Lindsay Clancy killed her three young children. At the heart of her murder trial was a question about her sanity. Many women rallied around her, calling for moms to get better mental healthcare. WBUR reporter Deborah Becker has covered a lot of cases, but none like this one.

Episode 1

The Clancy Trial | Ep. 1: The Case

WBUR reporter Deborah Becker spent many of her days this summer at the Plymouth County courthouse. She's been covering the trial of Lindsay Clancy, who was charged with murdering her three children before attempting to kill herself. The Massachusetts woman's defense argued she was experiencing postpartum psychosis at the time and should not be held criminally responsible for her actions. After weeks of testimony and seven days of deliberation, the jury was deadlocked. The tragedy at the center of the case is unbelievable — a mother killing her children. But what is also remarkable about this case is how it's captivated the public and drawn immense support for the woman on trial. Now, everyone is looking for some type of closure to this harrowing case.
Episode 2

The Clancy Trial | Ep. 2: The Reaction

A week after Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, WBUR's Deborah Becker reflects on the reaction online and in real life — inside as well as outside the courtroom. From TikTok influencers to international media outlets, the trial drew unprecedented crowds to the Plymouth courthouse. The attention on the Clancy trial is drawing attention to new mothers' mental health. But it has also sparked a national debate on gender, accountability, and women's mental health. Throughout the trial, we saw the darker side of social media virality and algorithmic bias, giving rise to multiple conspiracy theories online, especially about Lindsay Clancy's ex-husband, Patrick Clancy. Without a conviction, there's little closure for the Clancy family or the hordes of court watchers. Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz will need to decide what charges to bring for a retrial.
Episode 3

The Clancy Trial | Ep. 3: What happens next?

After the mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy case, one big question remains: Will District Attorney Tim Cruz retry the case — and if so, on what charges? As we wait for a status hearing on Sept. 29, new details have emerged about the holdout juror. Three jurors recently told the media he refused to go along with the other 11 jurors. Reports suggest he may have failed to disclose a criminal history. Meanwhile, a case in Massachusetts with similarities to Clancy's case is being reconsidered. Latarsha Sanders was convicted of murder for killing her two children in 2022. The charges were brought by Cruz, and her trial was presided over by the same judge who handled Clancy's trial. For Sanders's trial, Judge William Sullivan ruled her medical records inadmissible. But this summer, in the middle of Clancy's trial, the state's high court said that was a mistake and vacated the earlier conviction. Now, Sanders is getting a new trial. WBUR’s Deborah Becker explores what a retrial might look like for both women and what Clancy's future holds. She also examines what this case reveals about gaps in America's mental health system and unpacks what this case tells us about how we handle family tragedies.

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1 Episode

Amory Sivertson

Host
Rick Buckner

Guest

4.6

out of 5

3,192 Ratings

Surprising end

Sep 23

Mook B 88

Listen all the way through! Astounding!
Manipulative Reporting

Sep 23

Meh9873

The reporting of Sophia Johnson’s case was rife with manipulation. Facts were strategically withheld or left vague until the end. Family members were concealed. Sophia’s on the run? Why? Oh we will tell them in a bonus episode.This all the funnier considering that the reporter vents for two episodes about feeling deceived by Sophia.
Factual, poignant and insightful.

Sep 22

Inscrutablelaughs

I have been avoiding most media and social media coverage of this case. Decided to give it a shot since it was produced by WBUR. Was not disappointed. Excellent reporting by Deborah Becker and her team. Appreciate the hard work you all put in to bring this to us.
One-sided

Sep 18

kristen.nova

I thought I was going to be into this podcast. Episode one gripped me. Episode two you can tell exactly where she stands, episode three 10 minutes in and here digest!! WHAT IS BIRTHING PEOPLE? you discredit the children by using mental illness as an excuse for their murder, then you discredit women that birth children by calling them birthing people!! SICK!!

Lindsay Clancy killed her three young children. At the heart of her murder trial was a question about her sanity. Many women rallied around her, calling for moms to get better mental healthcare. WBUR reporter Deborah Becker has covered a lot of cases, but none like this one.