The Lindsay Clancy murder trial resumed Thursday with a 13th day of testimony in Plymouth Superior Court, featuring digital forensic evidence from Massachusetts State Police investigators regarding internet searches and journal entries logged prior to the January 2023 killings of her three young children.
The proceedings in Plymouth, Massachusetts, highlighted forensic examinations of electronic devices seized from Clancy’s home in early 2023. Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Kyle Pavao, who once worked in the cybercrime unit, took the stand as the prosecution’s first witness to discuss an examination of a Microsoft Surface Pro device.
State Police Testimony on Digital Evidence and Search History
Pavao testified that an initial review of device extractions revealed a visit to a webpage titled suicide methods on August 23, 2022. According to his testimony, that page was reached via a series of clicks originating from the Wikipedia page for singer-songwriter Tom Hall, who died by suicide, after someone listened to his music on Spotify.
Watch Live: Lindsay Clancy murder trial resumes with testimony
During cross-examination, defense attorney Kevin Reddington questioned whether Clancy was the person logged into the device at the time, noting that Patrick Clancy, her husband at the time, loved Tom Hall. Reddington stated in court, That search was not actually methods of suicide; it was from the Tom Hall link, adding, You don’t know if it was Lindsay Clancy who used the computer to search Tom Hall.
Following Pavao, Timothy Chiappini, a former State Police detective for Plymouth County, testified regarding a forensic analysis of Clancy’s iPhone. Chiappini outlined various data points retrieved from the device, including internet searches conducted in the days leading up to January 24, 2023. He testified that the phone was used to search can you treat a sociopath on the evening of January 20, 2023. Chiappini also noted that photos on the device had been modified on January 23, 2023, though he clarified that such a modification could be as simple as converting a live photo into a still image.
On cross-examination, Reddington asked Chiappini about several other queries allegedly found on the phone, including How to slit your throat to die? and Can you turn airbags off on Kia Sorento? Chiappini replied, I don’t recall. When Reddington asked if there were searches regarding schizophrenia or psychosis, Chiappini noted that keyword and Google searches were present in the documentation provided by the defense.
The testimony also delved into personal notes and journal entries extracted from Clancy’s phone. Chiappini read from an extensive entry logged in the notes application on October 25, 2022, in which Clancy expressed emotional distress regarding parenting dynamics following the birth of her third child, Callan.
“I am sad and depressed because I cannot parent my third child like my first. I want to treat every one of my babies like my first. But I know that’s not a feasible possibility. I am sad I stopped breastfeeding. I feel not as connected with Cal now. I think I sort of I resent my other children because they prevent me from treating Cal like my first baby. And I know that’s not fair to them. I know that.”
Photo: Boston.com
Lindsay Clancy, via Court Testimony
The journal entries further detailed Clancy’s internal conflict over wanting a large family while coping with postpartum challenges. I want to feel love and connection with all my kids, she wrote, adding that she felt terrified of something happening to my kids or doing something wrong to mess up their development. Alongside expressions of struggle, Chiappini confirmed that the phone data included positive affirmations and gratitudes, such as I am strong and I am a great mom.
Court proceedings also touched on the day of the incident, January 24, 2023. Chiappini testified that phone records showed Clancy researching pediatric stool softeners, contacting a local CVS for availability, checking the menu for a restaurant named ThreeV via Apple Maps, and exchanging text messages with Patrick Clancy regarding takeout dinner plans.
Judge William Sullivan called for a lunch break at 1 p.m. following the conclusion of Chiappini’s testimony, with court scheduled to resume at 2 p.m. with testimony from Massachusetts State Police Trooper Joshua McKelligan.
WATCH LIVE: Day 13 of Lindsay Clancy murder trial.
