Live Updates: Lindsay Clancy trial in murder of 3 children begins, ex-husband Patrick to testify

Just after 10:30 a.m., defense attorney Kevin Reddington began his opening statement.

"Normally I'd thank you," Reddington told jurors. "But in this case, God bless you."

Reddington told jurors that they will have to listen to and see "some of the most horrific things."

The defense attorney said that Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz brought first-degree murder charges against Lindsay Clancy when he knew "it was going to kill the soul of this young woman." Reddington added that, "she knows that she killed those children."

Reddington described Lindsay Clancy as a "heck of a mother" who loved her children. 

The prosecutor said in her opening statement that Lindsay Clancy made a "calculated decision" in killing her children, and was "controlling, meticulous and manipulative." 

"This is not a public debate about women's mental health and how the medical system treats women. This case is about this defendant, Lindsay Clancy," prosecutor Shanan Buckingham said.  

After about 20 minutes, Buckingham concluded her opening statement and the defense took over.

Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham laid out the gruesome details of the night the Clancy allegedly murdered her children.

Buckingham said Clancy sent her husband at the time, Patrick Clancy, for takeout food and to pick up medication. Patrick and Lindsay Clancy have since divorced and he is remarried.

Clancy took the children to the basement, separated them, and allegedly wrapped exercise bands around their necks and pulled the bands tightly. Clancy then cut her wrists and jumped out of a window in the home, which caused her to be paralyzed.

Patrick Clancy returned home, and Buckingham said the home was "eerily quiet." He entered the basement home and found the children, still with exercise bands wrapped around their necks.

"He screams for help, and he says 'She killed the kids,'" Buckingham said.

With Shanan Buckingham giving her opening statement and describing the murders of Lindsay Clancy's three young children, Lindsay Clancy could be seen wiping tears away from her face.

Shanan Buckingham gave the opening statement for the prosecution, beginning just after 10:10 a.m.

Buckingham said Dawson, Cora and Callan were "deliberately and meticulously killed" on January 24, 2023.

She urged jurors to keep an open mind while hearing evidence in the case. 

Jury selection, which took place over the course of four days last week, ended with 18 jurors seated.

Candidates were asked about their families' experience with psychiatrists, psychologists, or mental health facilities. Potential jurors were also asked about exposure to postpartum depression and bipolar disorder.  

By the end of the process, 12 women and six men were seated on the jury.

After a pair of sidebars concluded, the jury was called into the courtroom.

Judge William Sullivan asked members of the jury if they have heard anything since last week that would impact their ability to be fair or impartial.

With all jurors answering that they do not have any concerns about sitting on the jury, Sullivan concluded and the jurors were sworn in.

Just before 9:30 a.m., court was called into session.

Immediately after Judge William Sullivan called the case, he summonsed attorneys to sidebar.

Jennifer Sprague is the lead prosecutor for the case.

Kevin Reddington is serving as Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney.

Judge William Sullivan is overseeing the trial, which is taking place in Plymouth Superior Court. 

Patrick Clancy, who was married to Lindsay Clancy at the time of the children's deaths, is expected to be the first witness to take the stand after opening statements.

The couple is now divorced and Patrick Clancy has remarried. 

On Friday, Judge William Sullivan approved Patrick Clancy's motion to suppress media access to his 911 call and pictures of his deceased children at the trial. The photos and call will be presented to the jury.  

WBZ-TV legal analyst Jennifer Roman spoke about what can be expected from opening statements, which are set to be presented Monday morning.

"Both sides are going to lean into the very gruesome nature of this alleged crime. But they're going to take a very different approach," Roman said. "The prosecution is going to show signs that they think show premeditation, that she had been planning this and thinking about it and being methodical about it. The defense is going to throw the question, I think, back at the jury. How could somebody that's otherwise been known to be a loving and devoted mother, a caregiver, how could she have done this to her children unless she was suffering from a mental defect."