This blog post is going to be difficult to write and read. I take no joy in discussing this subject, but I don't know of anyone who is not aware of the shocking trial of Lindsay Clancy and her admitted murder of her three small children. I don't use that word "murder" lightly. The definition is as follows: the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another. That definition fits what she has described as her actions. The trial and its outcome have caused a cacophony of public expression; ranging from confusion, outrage, condemnation, and questions of responsibility and accountability.
As a Christian, I am seeing a clear demarcation between how our human justice system is viewing this event and how God, our Righteous Judge, might see it. In either case, the facts remain the same ... Cora Clancy, age 5; Dawson Clancy, age 3; and Callan Clancy, age 8 months were admittedly murdered by their mother, with ligature strangulation as her choice for their deaths. And here's what you need to know about that statement: Strangulation requires 10+ pounds of pressure and sustained force even after unconsciousness. It can take 10 seconds to a minute to render someone unconscious, and an additional 4-5 minutes of continued pressure to cause death. That's plenty of time to see and understand the consequences of your actions ... and stop. Can anyone honestly say you can read those key forensic points of strangulation and are not horrified that a mother could do that to her own vulnerable and defenseless children?!?
And yes, I am fully aware of her testimony about how she has repeatedly mentioned to family and doctors that she was concerned about harming her children; that her medication(s) weren't helping; that she was hearing voices telling her to kill her children and then herself. There have also been suggestions that she committed this atrocity thinking she was "saving her children" by sending them to Heaven, where she planned on joining them so they could be together. [NOTE: I have found no substantial confirmation that this particular proposition was part of her plan. And it is difficult, to say the least, to know, for sure, exactly what she planned before (and after), the children were murdered.
Those are the facts. And, yes, there is much more to this case that requires we humans to try and surmise her thoughts, the state of her mind, interactions with multiple doctors and the medical system, as well as interpreting her own journals and writings. The court case disclosed that she wrote a note in which she stated that she felt she "resent[ed]" her children at times, and she struggled to feel connection with them. She wrote about postpartum anxiety [not psychosis]. [NOTE: the difference lies in the understanding that anxiety involves persistent feelings of worry and fear that can interfere with daily functioning, while psychosis is a severe condition characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized behavior]. It is my understanding that there was no evidence in her writings of psychosis effects -- no delusions, hallucinations, or disordered thinking. In fact her journal entries were clear, organized, and detailed.
Furthermore, internet searches including "Ways to kill" and "Can you treat a sociopath" indicate [to me, at least] a mind that was preoccupied in carrying out a diabolical plan. Then the case provided a lot of emphasis on the medication aspect of her condition... multiple prescriptions; changing doses; different doctors giving different evaluations, resulting in conflicting diagnoses and medications. All this to provide the defense with culprits [other than Lindsay Clancy] to blame for Cora, Dawson, and Callan's deaths. In this view of the circumstances, you end up with our flawed Medical System as the real criminal, and Lindsay Clancy as an additional victim, along with her three children.
From a purely human perspective, it is easy to adopt either the reasoning of the Prosecuting attorney OR the Defense lawyer. I invite you to read this article that provided a good source for evaluating my own opinion of this case. But for me, ultimately, it comes down to setting aside my human empathy and mercy for this woman and her postpartum experience, and discerning God's perspective regarding the actions she took. Is this mother truly a victim of the medical system, OR is society "medicalizing evil"; using mental illness as a scapegoat for our sins? Where does our moral standing with God and His justice system play into our discernment of our cultural/legal responsibilities?
Then, there is another perspective we need to consider. As a Christian whom God has called to a Deliverance/Inner Healing ministry, I can agree that it is a distinct possibility that Lindsay Clancy could have heard voices telling her to kill her children. Sadly, much of the Church does not recognize that the mind is a battleground where spiritual warfare occurs. It is incumbent upon Believers to renew our minds with the Word of God to combat negative thoughts and lies from the enemy. Unfortunately, for Lindsay Clancy and her children, Lindsay did not have the capacity to wage that spiritual war.
The Bible clearly tells us that Satan is the Father of Lies [John 8:44] and he is a deceiver. Sadly, I believe it was the devil's voice Lindsay heard telling her to kill her children and herself, as she told those precious children "Go to God, Baby" and then strangled them. So, where does that leave us as a society? Do we offer her empathy and mercy, and grant her possible freedom due to a mistrial? Or do we recognize that she murdered her children, and hold her criminally and legally liable for the extreme atrocity and cruelty she perpetrated against her children?
This case has polarized our nation. There are those who want to extend empathy based on their own feelings, and apply the law in a lenient, less strict manner, demanding mercy for Lindsay. But where was the mercy for those three children? And, believe me, I do have empathy for Lindsay. She repeatedly asked people and doctors for help; stating she was struggling with menacing thoughts toward her children. She did not get the help she should have. But there is no doubt she committed the acts, and we have laws that instruct us about the appropriate punishment for her. There are those who believe she must be sentenced according to those laws. In no way should she be excused for subjective opinions on her mental state.
God will be the ultimate Judge of Lindsay Clancy and He will decide how justice for those three beautiful children will be served for all eternity. I don't know if Lindsay is able to ask Him for forgiveness and repent for murdering her children. I pray she does, for the sake of her eternal destination. But we've already had a copycat murder in Illinois of a beautiful blond-haired little boy, found strangled in the basement of his home, and his mother in an upstairs bathroom trying to commit suicide. Reportedly, she was "invested" in the Lindsay Clancy trial. Our culture must not grant immunity for murdering children! We must not let our compassion or empathy redefine Evil! And we must let the spirit of infanticide take control of our minds and society!
Everyone must make their own decision about this tragic event. As for me, while I can offer mercy to Lindsay Clancy, I cannot excuse the evil she committed against her children. Those children died at the hands of their mother. God has declared in His Word that humanity bears His image; He has spoken of the sanctity of life; and murder is forbidden. And there is no mistaking that He condemns the shedding of innocent blood. For now, this trial is over and it has been declared a mistrial. Whatever the final outcome turns out to be, Christians must not confuse a legal verdict with God's moral and just verdict. We must stand on His Truth!
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
