A GoFundMe for the parents of Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother accused of strangling her three children to death in 2023, has raised more than $700,000 at press time.
Michael and Paula Musgrove are the beneficiaries of the GoFundMe campaign titled The Musgrove Family Fund. According to the description, it’s intended to provide financial help to Clancy’s parents for the “travel, lodging, and living costs” they’ve incurred over the past three years and their continued support of their daughter through the ongoing trial. The couple, originally from Connecticut, relocated to Massachusetts “so they can be close to their daughter” and attend her court proceedings. The campaign, verified by GoFundMe, seeks $2 million.
Clancy pleaded not guilty to charges in connection to the deaths of her three children — Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan — in January 2023, according to the Associated Press. While Clancy has not denied killing the children, the trial is expected to determine whether she was legally responsible for her actions.
Last week, prosecutors reintroduced a theory that suggested Clancy faked a suicide attempt. Prosecutors brought up internet searches made on the family computer in the months leading up to the killings, which included looking for “suicide methods,” and searches for psychiatric medications, detox programs, psychosis, and more, as The Guardian reported. Her cellphone revealed searches on “Can you treat a sociopath?” and housed notes about depression, exhaustion, and more.
One note from Clancy that was introduced as evidence on Thursday expressed concerns over her relationship with her youngest, Callan. “I want to feel love and connection with all my kids … I just want to feel happy. I want to be able to relax and take care of my kids,” read the notes app entry from October 2022, via The Guardian. “And when they go to bed at night, I want to deeply relax and hang out with Pat and then fall into a deep sleep for 8 hours, get up and pour hard into myself for an hour and a half. Cal was so very planned and desired. I want to be able to give him all the love he deserves.”
Another note created just prior to the killings that was modified a day before the deaths read: “Medication stole my motherhood and my life … prescription medication stole me from my own body.”
Prosecutors have been arguing that Clancy acted intentionally. Meanwhile, Clancy’s defense is arguing she suffered from postpartum psychosis — a relatively rare diagnosis that can cause women to develop delusions and even hallucinations, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Clancy’s ex-husband Patrick Clancy also supports her claim that she was not responsible for her actions. Patrick was the first witness called to testify. He spoke of her deteriorating mental health at the time of the incident, saying she “kept getting worse and worse.”
During the sixth day of trial on Aug. 4, Clancy spoke for the first time in court. She confirmed to Massachusetts Superior Court Judge William Sullivan that she stipulated to the facts when he asked, with her replying “Yes, your honor.” Clancy’s agreement to stipulate meant that prosecutors no longer needed to call certain witnesses to testify about the agreed-upon facts.
Testimony is expected to resume Monday after the jury had a day off on Friday.
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
