What Happens if Lindsay Clancy Wins Her Insanity Defense?

The Law Is Inadequate to Judge Lindsay Clancy

What makes the case impossible for a jury is that Massachusetts law only allows for bad options when ruling on an insanity defense. The one sensible solution, voluntary manslaughter, is off the table, writes Jed Rubenfeld.

Insanity defenses rarely work. Lindsay Clancy's case may be different

Insanity defenses are notoriously difficult to win. But Massachusetts law could give Lindsay Clancy a better chance.

What happens if Lindsay Clancy wins her insanity defense?

As jurors continue weighing the fate of Lindsay Clancy, legal experts say a verdict finding her not guilty by reason of mental illness would not result in her immediate release. Instead, Clancy would likely remain under court supervision and face commitment to a psychiatric facility, potentially for years, depending on future evaluations of her mental health and safety risk, local defense lawyers told USA TODAY.