Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Lindsay Clancy is accused of strangling her three young children to death. Her defense has now rested, prosecutors are presenting rebuttal evidence, and the case will soon be in the hands of the jury. And under Massachusetts law, I believe there is a very real possibility she could be found not guilty by reason of insanity.
In today's show, I explain why Massachusetts gives Clancy an insanity defense far more favorable than what she would receive in most other states. Massachusetts recognizes not only the traditional argument that a defendant was unable to understand reality, but also a second path involving an inability to conform one's conduct to the law. Even more importantly, once insanity is properly raised, the prosecution bears the burden of disproving it beyond a reasonable doubt. Clancy's lawyers don't necessarily have to convince the jury she was insane—they need to create enough doubt that prosecutors cannot prove she was sane.
I also explain the difference between psychosis and other forms of mental illness, what a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict actually means, and how John Hinckley's acquittal after shooting President Ronald Reagan led most states to make insanity defenses substantially harder. Massachusetts chose not to follow that path—and that could become enormously important when this jury begins deliberating.
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"You are wise to buy this material. I hope you watch it, internalize it, and keep it to the forefront whenever you even think of reaching for a gun"
-Massad Ayoob (President of the Second Amendment Foundation)
The #1 guide for understanding when using force to protect yourself is legal. Now yours for FREE! Just pay the S&H for us to get it to you.
➡️ Carry with confidence, knowing you are protected from predators AND predatory prosecutors
➡️ Correct the common myths you may think are true but get people in trouble
➡️ Know you're getting the best with this abridged version of our best-selling 5-star Amazon-rated book that has been praised by many (including self-defense legends!) for its easy, entertaining, and informative style.
➡️ Many interesting, if sometimes heart-wrenching, true-life examples
Get Your Free Book: lawofselfdefense.com/getthebook
00:00 The Defense Of Lindsay Clancy
00:05 Should This Case Even Be Prosecuted?
00:58 Does The Husband Get To Decide?
01:25 Who Has A Stake In These Murders?
01:51 “We Should Just Let Her Walk?”
02:16 Clancy's Defense Has Rested
02:27 The Insanity Defense
03:00 What Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity REALLY Means
03:21 Prosecutors Fight Back
03:42 Why Massachusetts Is Different
04:07 The Traditional Insanity Rule
04:21 What Psychosis Actually Means
05:01 When Mental Illness Eliminates Criminal Responsibility
05:42 What Happens After An Insanity Acquittal?
07:12 Could She Eventually Be Released?
08:05 The McNaughton Rule
09:02 Massachusetts Gives Defendants A Second Path
10:15 “I Knew It Was Wrong, But Couldn't Stop”
10:47 Who Has To Prove Insanity?
11:21 Massachusetts Puts The Burden On Prosecutors
12:24 Why Lindsay Clancy Could Be Acquitted
13:18 The Reagan Assassination Attempt Changed Everything
13:50 Why John Hinckley Was Found Not Guilty
14:10 Most States Changed Their Laws
14:15 Massachusetts Didn't
14:32 What Clancy's Lawyers Need From The Jury
Lindsay Clancy is accused of strangling her three young children to death. Her defense has now rested, prosecutors are presenting rebuttal evidence, and the case will soon be in the hands of the jury. And under Massachusetts law, I believe there is a very real possibility she could be found not guilty by reason of insanity.
In today's show, I explain why Massachusetts gives Clancy an insanity defense far more favorable than what she would receive in most other states. Massachusetts recognizes not only the traditional argument that a defendant was unable to understand reality, but also a second path involving an inability to conform one's conduct to the law. Even more importantly, once insanity is properly raised, the prosecution bears the burden of disproving it beyond a reasonable doubt. Clancy's lawyers don't necessarily have to convince the jury she was insane—they need to create enough doubt that prosecutors cannot prove she was sane.
I also explain the difference between psychosis and other forms of mental illness, what a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict actually means, and how John Hinckley's acquittal after shooting President Ronald Reagan led most states to make insanity defenses substantially harder. Massachusetts chose not to follow that path—and that could become enormously important when this jury begins deliberating.
"BRANCA FOR SCOTUS" MUGS! thebrancashow-shop.fourthwall.com/products/branca-mug-001
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! Exclusive Members-only content & perks! Only ~17 cents/day! $5/month: youtube.com/channel/UC-GqXHAdxVUVMw2F_7h_X3Q/join
Visit Here: lawofselfdefense.com/getthebook
"You are wise to buy this material. I hope you watch it, internalize it, and keep it to the forefront whenever you even think of reaching for a gun"
-Massad Ayoob (President of the Second Amendment Foundation)
The #1 guide for understanding when using force to protect yourself is legal. Now yours for FREE! Just pay the S&H for us to get it to you.
➡️ Carry with confidence, knowing you are protected from predators AND predatory prosecutors
➡️ Correct the common myths you may think are true but get people in trouble
➡️ Know you're getting the best with this abridged version of our best-selling 5-star Amazon-rated book that has been praised by many (including self-defense legends!) for its easy, entertaining, and informative style.
➡️ Many interesting, if sometimes heart-wrenching, true-life examples
Get Your Free Book: lawofselfdefense.com/getthebook
00:00 The Defense Of Lindsay Clancy
00:05 Should This Case Even Be Prosecuted?
00:58 Does The Husband Get To Decide?
01:25 Who Has A Stake In These Murders?
01:51 “We Should Just Let Her Walk?”
02:16 Clancy's Defense Has Rested
02:27 The Insanity Defense
03:00 What Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity REALLY Means
03:21 Prosecutors Fight Back
03:42 Why Massachusetts Is Different
04:07 The Traditional Insanity Rule
04:21 What Psychosis Actually Means
05:01 When Mental Illness Eliminates Criminal Responsibility
05:42 What Happens After An Insanity Acquittal?
07:12 Could She Eventually Be Released?
08:05 The McNaughton Rule
09:02 Massachusetts Gives Defendants A Second Path
10:15 “I Knew It Was Wrong, But Couldn't Stop”
10:47 Who Has To Prove Insanity?
11:21 Massachusetts Puts The Burden On Prosecutors
12:24 Why Lindsay Clancy Could Be Acquitted
13:18 The Reagan Assassination Attempt Changed Everything
13:50 Why John Hinckley Was Found Not Guilty
14:10 Most States Changed Their Laws
14:15 Massachusetts Didn't
14:32 What Clancy's Lawyers Need From The Jury
