The Lindsay Clancy case wasn’t on my radar, much less my mind – until – my first-read WordPress blogger friend posted about it. And then … I just had to check it out because it seemed to fall right in my wheelhouse. In fact, mental health is my passion, and has been since My Fall. Subsequently, I’ve been all consumed by the trial and the commentary. With that in mind, thoughts on the Lindsay Clancy case, mine and yours. Let’s talk about it.
My Thoughts.
My thoughts began when I watched (on YouTube) the testimony of Dr. Jennifer Tufts.* For five hours! Tufts was Clancy’s primary psychiatrist when Lindsay first reached out for help. Moreover, was with her throughout the five month breakdown, which ended in Clancy killing her three children; and then an immediate suicide attempt.
My first thought when seeing Tufts take the stand was, Oh my god, you’ve got to be kidding. Dr. Jennifer Tufts looked and sounded like a child.
The defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, showed my thought to be on target. Additionally, Reddington exposed the entire mental health care Clancy got to be a bad joke. (Everyone involved was in over their heads.) The defense flipped the script (OJ trial-like) and made the “good guys”, and the system, culpable for the deaths of the children.
Eleven jury members agreed with Reddinton’s argument. There was one juror, a man, who would not come off the point that Clancy murdered her children; and was guilty as charged.
After five days the judge declared a mistrial–setting the stage for a do over.
Having been involved with much of what this case is about, for decades, I agree with Reddington’s defense. It is the mental health providers, and the system, that had the means to prevent this tragedy. They and it failed.
The Debate.
The debate is now raging everywhere. Because most people can feel the horror of the crime. Furthermore, many have had children and know of the ‘crazy’ amount of strain that can put on a family unit. However, most parents don’t kill their children. No matter what!
Couples are breaking up over this. I’m interested in how people see this because it goes to something very deep in our individual and collective psyche. Consciously and unconsciously. The psychology that is us. That which makes us different from other creatures. (And yes, AI, too.)
The Personality.
The personality of Lindsay Clancy seems obvious to me. Given all that’s been disclosed in the trial. Using OCEAN, or The Big Five, she presents as a, not uncommon, Neurotic Introvert. Additionally, as openminded, highly conscientious, and very agreeable. Join that with what appears to be a perfectionist drive*; and you could see trouble coming.
In essence this was a Perfect Storm. However, the health care professionals treating her were blinded by their ‘training’. Or, the current belief that there’s a pill that can fix most any “anxiety”, or “adjustment disorder”. The incompetence of the mental health providers borders on criminal. However, that’s the way the system is set up. With this case, they were all in way over their heads.
Additionally, watching the providers testify, not just Dr. Tufts, it seems to me that there were many C-students with master degrees licensed to practice that should not have been. The how and why of that has roots that go deep into our history and culture.
Crazy Women.
The notion that women are crazy, naturally, because of their hormones and reproductive cycle is part of what is fueling the fire. On both sides of the debate.
I remember during a session with Psych-girl I once let that sentiment slip. She didn’t. She pounced and asked, “You know who you’re talking to, don’t you?” Anxiously, I said, “NOT YOU! I meant them, out there, other women.” Gesturing broadly, “You’re different – the best.” I scanned her face for agreement. Her hands, feet, posture. Nothing – she was so good. THE BEST! If only …
IF Only
If only Lindsay Clancy had encountered a mental health provider like Psych-girl – this tragedy might have been prevented. Is what I thought. AND, my heart breaks.
Worthless Men.
Men are worthless is one side of the debate. “Lindsay’s husband is a POS! If he didn’t do it, he made her crazy because he was/is a no-good, clueless cheater. Patrick didn’t care about his children or Lindsay, only about his own wants, needs, and desires. Typical worthless POS man.”* (This is a composite of many TicTok posts from women.)
Overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed is the key word in all of this. Lindsay said it over and over again. The thing is – everyone is. Now. Within the world we’ve created. We can’t process all that comes at us. We aren’t wired that way. And so, we all can relate to this tragedy and look, no need, someone to blame. We crave justice. To make it simple and be done with it. So as we can get on with our lives.
Unfortunately, the mistrial means that there has been no resolution.
…
When things go bonkers and don’t make sense – we retreat to that which is safe–our tribe. However, with this case? Which is your tribe?
Thoughts? On the Lindsay Clancy case?
- A part of me feels sorry for Dr. Jennifer Tufts. She was tasked with a problem far beyond her capabilities. However, she was led to believe (by the system) that she was capable. So, is it her fault she failed? On the other hand – at what point is a person responsible for their own actions? Tufts repeatedly said that Lindsay Clancy had insight and was capable for advocating for herself. When clearly Clancy wasn’t. Clancy was for months in a state of confusion; and often despair. I’d say Tufts lacked insight. Insight being able to move outside of your own subjectivity and see the situation objectively. That is an uncommon ability that Tufts lacked. Then she was put on the stand to justify/defend her decisions. She’s going to have a tough road ahead of her.
- The Perfectionist drive, in this case, would be Lindsay thinking she could be a perfect mother, wife, health care provider, and so on.
- What would be an “appropriate” response for a husband and father whose wife kills their children? Regardless of his prior behavior. He, like everyone else, was in way over his head. “Things”, or Life, has a way of unfolding much different than what our expectations are. I can’t imagine what I would do.