Commonwealth v. Clancy, August 19, 2026: Paul Zeizel, Emily Thorndike

Commonwealth v. Clancy, August 19, 2026

WednesdayreporteddefenseDay 16 of 17

The defense's criminal-responsibility opinion, a long cross-examination, and an excluded witness.

Key points

Thorndike EXCLUDED, her McLean employment (2014-2021) did not overlap Clancy's admission.

Paul ZeizelDefense

Forensic psychologist

Cross: Commonwealth

Met the defendant about sixty times over roughly thirty-five hours.
Opined she suffered a mental disease or defect: bipolar disorder with postpartum psychosis.
Opined she could not appreciate the wrongfulness of her conduct.
Opined she could not conform her conduct to the law.
Described a December 2022 perinatal clinic presentation: she said her brain was damaged, that she should kill herself, that she would never get better.
Described paranoia including a fear that others could hear her thoughts and that she would lose her children.
On cross, the Commonwealth identified errors in his report.
On cross, questioned whether he could be objective while both treating her and working with the defense, including appearing alongside Reddington at a news conference.
Conceded nothing in her medical records recorded her reporting voices telling her to kill herself, only that she wanted to die.

Emily ThorndikeDefense

Licensed clinical social worker, formerly of McLean Hospital

Heard before the judge only, on voir dire, rather than before the jury.
EXCLUDED: her McLean employment ran 2014–2021 and did not overlap the defendant's admission.

-Thorndike's testimony excluded, no overlap between her employment and the defendant's treatment period.

-Testimony ended earlier than expected owing to what was described as an unforeseen circumstance.