Lindsay Clancy's attorney says she was in a deep psychosis when she killed her 3 children

(AP) — Jurors in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial in Plymouth, Massachusetts, will hear closing arguments Wednesday before deciding whether to hold the former labor and delivery nurse criminally responsible for killing her three children in 2023. While both sides agree she killed her children, Clancy’s defense team argues she suffered from postpartum psychosis and filed lawsuits accusing medical providers of failing to properly diagnose and treat her condition. Prosecutors at the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office argue she intentionally planned the killings.

Postpartum psychosis is estimated to afflict 1 to 2 per 1,000 women after delivery. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic describe it as a mental health emergency affecting someone’s sense of reality. It can happen to anyone after giving birth, but the chances are higher for people with certain mental health conditions.

Though most people with postpartum psychosis don’t harm their children, mothers with severe cases may try to do so, and also may try to harm themselves. ___ Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.

There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. ___ Here’s the latest: Clancy listens to the jury instructions Lindsay Clancy stares straight ahead as the judge goes over the instructions. At one point, she dabs her eyes with a tissue.

Jurors hear instructions on law before closing arguments Judge William Sullivan printed out a copy of the instructions for the panel. He reminded jurors that Clancy is innocent until proven guilty, and went over the elements of the charges. He said a defendant is not criminally responsible for their conduct if they have a mental diseases or defect.

Sullivan tells the jury that they will consider three counts of murder in the first degree for each of the children but can consider murder in the second degree. “If you find the defendant guilty of murder you shall decide the degree of murder,” he told the jury. The judge says a defendant may form the required intent needed to prove a murder charge and act with premeditation even if she suffered from a mental impairment or consumed prescription.