PLYMOUTH, MASS. — Hundreds of Lindsay Clancy supporters gathered outside the courthouse in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Thursday. The rally marked a visible show of solidarity during her murder trial as attendees called for reforms in women's mental health care.

Approximately 300 women and a few men attended the rally, which was the first time during the nearly monthlong trial that supporters gathered in large numbers. Many supporters at the rally wore pink clothing, and some held flags from different countries. Supporters stood silently for more than an hour ahead of Thursday's proceedings. Some supporters wore shirts with messages including "Peace For Lindsay" and "Justice For Lindsay."

The group applauded upon seeing Clancy's defense attorney Kevin Reddington. Rally organizer Renee Kimball implored the crowd to trust that defense attorney Kevin Reddington "has Lindsay’s fight." "It’s important that we just be still, have a moment of silence and know that God is working through us for Lindsay and for the rest of the world that are going through similar things she is going through," said Kimball.

Toward the end of the rally, supporters formed a circle, said the Lord's Prayer, held up their arms, and formed hearts with their hands. Supporters stated they wanted to raise awareness about how the mental health system treats women.

April Vincent, a 52-year-old paralegal from Providence, Rhode Island, spoke about the difficulties women face when seeking help. "Women are being dismissed, neglected and ignored when we speak up," said Vincent. "We’re scared because nobody takes us seriously." She added that she had personal experience with the issue. "I’ve been dismissed plenty of times." "Nobody wants to hear us and really we just need to be heard," she said.

Jeanne Zaborski, a 72-year-old retired nurse from Rockland, Massachusetts, also attended the event. "It's very sad," said Zaborski. She identified her personal connection to motherhood and family.

I am a mother. I am a grandmother. She noted a family history of post-birth struggles. "I have a sister who had problems after birth and it's just very sad." Zaborski hopes the cases raise awareness about postpartum health. "I hope Lindsay gets the care she needs and deserves and other women will come together like we did today," she said.

Zaborski and many others at the rally said they had been following the trial almost daily. The livestreamed trial has brought attention to postpartum psychosis, a rare mental illness Clancy's attorney says she had that is linked to the stress, sleep deprivation and hormonal changes that follow childbirth. Researchers estimate that postpartum psychosis afflicts 1 to 2 per 1,000 women after delivery. Postpartum psychosis is more serious and less common than postpartum depression.

Lindsay Clancy's lawyer does not dispute that she killed her children. Her lawyer argues she should not be held criminally responsible because she was mentally ill. Clancy's defense admitted to the killings but argued that her actions were the result of a severe postpartum mental health crisis.

Clancy has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of Callan, Dawson, and Cora Clancy. The children ranged in age from 8 months to 5 years old. Clancy is 36 years old.

Prosecutors say Clancy planned the January 24, 2023 killings. They say Clancy contrived to get her husband out of the house by sending him to pick up medicine for one of their children and dinner for the family. On January 24, 2023, Clancy strangled her three children. She jumped from a second-story window after killing her children. Clancy remains paralyzed from the waist down. Prosecutors have questioned the seriousness of Clancy's suicide attempt.

Timeline

On January 24, 2023, prosecutors say Lindsay Clancy planned the killings. Prosecutors say Clancy contrived to get her husband out of the house by sending him to pick up medicine for one of their children and dinner for the family.

On January 24, 2023, Lindsay Clancy strangled her three children. Lindsay Clancy jumped from a second-story window after killing her children.

What's New

Hundreds of Lindsay Clancy supporters, many wearing pink, gathered Thursday outside the courthouse where she is on trial in the killings of her three children. The defense will continue arguments on Thursday, as a group of people plan to support Lindsay Clancy outside the Plymouth County Superior Court by wearing pink. Lindsay Clancy's defense admitted to the killings but argued that her actions were the result of a severe postpartum mental health crisis.

Why It Matters

The case has drawn public attention to postpartum psychosis, a condition researchers estimate afflicts 1 to 2 per 1,000 women after delivery. Supporters at the rally stated they wanted to raise awareness about how the mental health system treats women, arguing that issues are often dismissed.

Jeanne Zaborski hopes the cases raise awareness about postpartum health. The defense argues Clancy is not criminally responsible due to severe mental illness, while prosecutors maintain the killings were planned and deliberate.