Patrick Clancy gives first TV interview after Lindsay Clancy mistrial
Patrick Clancy gives first TV interview after Lindsay Clancy mistrial
Lindsay Clancy's former husband spoke with 60 Minutes in a Sunday episode on CBS
WARNING: This article contains details about violence against children and attempted suicide.
Lindsay Clancy's former husband said he forgave her for killing their three young children in his first televised interview Sunday on CBS News' 60 Minutes since a jury deadlocked in her trial for the children's deaths.
Patrick Clancy talked about his grief, saying he battled suicidal thoughts after the killings and experienced a panic attack while testifying at Lindsay Clancy's trial when attorneys played to jurors his 911 call to report the children's deaths.
At trial, the anguished 911 call included Patrick howling and crying after he discovered the bodies of his children in the family's basement as a confused dispatcher repeatedly asked what happened.
Earlier this month, 11 of 12 jurors were ready to clear Lindsay Clancy of criminal responsibility, with the majority feeling that the Massachusetts mom was in the grip of a rare condition called postpartum psychosis when she strangled her kids in 2023.
But a lone juror sided with prosecutors, who had argued that Clancy knew what she was doing. The deadlock forced a judge to declare a mistrial on Sept. 4.
The Lindsay Clancy trial and maternal mental health
Clancy says son died in his arms
Patrick Clancy also said his youngest son, Callan, didn't die immediately that fatal day on Jan. 24, 2023, but lived four more days before dying in his arms.
While holding his 8-month-old son, he said he typed with one hand tributes to his other children, Cora, 5, and Dawson, 2, and also forgave his wife.
"I saw headlines that say 'killer mom' and 'baby murderer monster' and none of them were accurate," he said. "I believed that it was her mental illness that caused that."
Calls conspiracy theories a 'distraction'
Clancy said stress from the murders and trial took a toll.
"There was a time I didn't think I would live to see my 35th birthday, and I was completely fine with it," he said.
He also addressed social media conspiracy theories surrounding the case, which have included unfounded claims he was connected to the death of his children.
Lindsay Clancy holdout juror breaks silence, says he didn't have 'any doubts' of her guilt
Will Lindsay Clancy face a new trial? What's next after mistrial declared
"It's deeply harmful to the legacy of my children," Patrick Clancy said. "It is a huge distraction from what really matters here, which is perinatal mental health."
His new wife, Dr. Rachel Danis, joined him in the interview, describing Patrick Clancy as the "most selfless and supportive partner."
"I don't understand how the story has been so twisted," she said. "I was just a girl that met a guy running in Central Park on a really cold Saturday. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that."
If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to look for help:
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