Not a transcript. Day accounts are summaries of news
reporting, not a record of what anyone said. Trial in progress, no verdict.
Commonwealth v. Clancy, August 6, 2026
ThursdayreportedcommonwealthDay 8 of 17
Eleven witnesses across a long day: autopsy evidence first, then the people who knew the family.
Key points
- Callan's cause of death: complications of mechanical asphyxia.
- RESOLVES the MiraLAX search: the pediatrician saw Cora that morning and suggested it.
- Chiachio confirmed on cross that no evidence of child abuse was found.
- Multiple lay witnesses saw insomnia and distress but no indication she would harm the children.
- DNA taken from Clancy at Tewksbury State Hospital, May 15, 2024.
- Autopsy testimony spans BOTH this date and August 12, 2026, resolving the earlier 'day 8' ambiguity.
- Kyle Carney IDENTIFIED: college friend of Patrick Clancy, not the MSP sergeant previously guessed.
Witnesses (11)
Kimberly SpringerCommonwealth09:26
Medical examiner
- Testified about Callan.
- Cause of death: complications of mechanical asphyxia.
- Autopsy photographs shown to jurors on individual screens at 09:48.
Lindsay RosshirtCommonwealth10:15
Pediatrician, South Shore Medical; family pediatrician since 2019
Cross: Reddington
- The children were healthy; she observed no signs of postpartum difficulty.
- Saw Cora on the morning of January 24 for a routine physical.
- Suggested MiraLAX at that appointment, which accounts for the search that afternoon.
- On cross, agreed the defendant had never complained about the children.
Christopher ClancyCommonwealth
Father-in-law of the defendant
Cross: Reddington
- Described a devoted mother and an all-American family.
- On cross, acknowledged knowing of her sleep difficulties, emergency-department visits and health concerns.
- Recalled a blank stare at Thanksgiving.
- The family had declined an offer of childcare respite.
Kyle CarneyCommonwealth
College friend of Patrick Clancy; Duxbury resident
- Had the family over on January 22, 2023.
- Described the defendant as normal, but quiet.
Andrew ChiachioCommonwealth
Detective Sergeant, MSP (Plymouth DA office)
Cross: Reddington
- Retrieved surveillance from the CVS and the 3V restaurant for the night of January 24.
- Mapped Patrick's route.
- Served search warrants.
- Collected a DNA sample from the defendant at Tewksbury State Hospital on May 15, 2024.
- Searched her Facebook account and a parenting group.
- On cross, confirmed no evidence of child abuse was found despite exhaustive searching.
Susan FraoneCommonwealth
Dawson's preschool teacher
- Difficult drop-offs beginning October 2022.
- Discussed them with the defendant in late November.
- Saw no signs of insomnia or postpartum difficulty.
Susan BertoloCommonwealth
Cora's preschool teacher
- Cora spoke of missing her mother during the McLean admission in early January 2023.
- The day before the killings Cora had repeated bathroom visits.
- The defendant responded attentively to the concern.
Stephanie WilliamsCommonwealth
Preschool teacher
- Described Cora warmly.
- The day before the killings Cora was unwell.
- Observed a loving maternal response from the defendant.
Andrea HenniganCommonwealth
Registered nurse, labour and delivery, Massachusetts General; colleague of seven years
Cross: Reddington
- Had lunch with the defendant in November 2022.
- The defendant reported insomnia, brain fog, and worry about returning to work.
- She was working with a psychiatrist on a medication combination.
- Texted with her on January 23, 2023, the day before.
- On cross: the defendant loved nursing, was excellent and nurturing.
- Never complained about Patrick, whom the witness described as supportive.
- Was not concerned the defendant would harm herself.
Bethany DeCollibusCommonwealth
Licensed family therapist; friend
- Saw the defendant weekly.
- Reported worsening insomnia, unable to sleep even when the children slept.
- Grew worried about her.
- No suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming others were mentioned.
- At Cora's birthday party in January the defendant said sleep was not improving and she felt like a zombie, though she did not appear so.
Amy BevinsCommonwealth
Lifelong friend (~29 years); behaviour analyst
- The defendant had said Dawson's delivery was difficult and she would need time before a third child.
- Saw her in Connecticut in November 2022, no change in demeanour.
- Shortly before the killings the defendant texted about taking medication and having dark thoughts, while tapering off and trying new ones.
- Never mentioned hurting herself or anyone else.
Exhibits and evidence
- Autopsy photographs of Callan, on juror-only screens
- Surveillance video from the CVS and the 3V restaurant, January 24
- Facebook material from the defendant's account
- DNA evidence
- Search warrant materials
Procedural
- 09:22Sidebar before testimony began.
- 09:50Recess ordered after Dr. Springer's evidence; the defendant described as inconsolable.
- 11:32Morning recess.
- 12:50Lunch until 14:00.
- 14:41Jury dismissed for the day.