“SHE NEEDED HELP” — AROUND 300 SUPPORTERS GATHER OUTSIDE LINDSAY CLANCY TRIAL

Around 300 supporters of Lindsay Clancy gathered outside the courthouse as her trial entered Day 17.

Most of those attending were women wearing pink clothing and signs carrying messages such as “Believe,” “She Needed Help” and “Peace For Lindsay.”

For supporters, the rally was about raising awareness of women’s mental-health struggles and what they believe was a failure to listen when Clancy was asking for help.

“Women are being dismissed, neglected and ignored when we speak up,”
April Vincent, a 52-year-old Rhode Island paralegal, told the Associated Press.

A MOMENT OF UNITY

Toward the end of the gathering, supporters formed a circle and recited the Lord’s Prayer.

They then raised their arms and formed hearts with their hands before some entered the courthouse to attend the proceedings.

The demonstration comes as the defense continues presenting evidence focused heavily on Clancy’s alleged mental-health struggles, including testimony concerning postpartum psychosis, bipolar disorder and auditory hallucinations.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, have challenged aspects of that account and have questioned experts about whether the evidence fully supports the defense’s interpretation of Clancy’s mental state.

OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE — INSIDE THE COURTROOM

The stark contrast was difficult to miss.

Outside, hundreds gathered in pink to express support.

Inside, jurors continued hearing evidence that could ultimately determine whether Clancy should be held criminally responsible for the deaths of her three children.

300 PEOPLE.

ONE MESSAGE: “SHE NEEDED HELP.”

AND A TRIAL THAT REMAINS DEEPLY DIVISIVE.

The proceedings continue as both sides present their competing accounts of what happened and, critically, what Clancy’s mental state was at the time.