A judge has rejected a defence request for a mistrial in the case of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three young children in Massachusetts, after a prosecution psychologist brought her Catholic faith into his testimony.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
The ruling came as Clancy's closely watched triple-murder trial neared its conclusion, with closing arguments expected Wednesday, according to NBC News.
Defence seeks mistrial over Catholic faith remarks
Forensic psychologist Kirk Heilbrun was testifying for the prosecution when he referred to Clancy's Roman Catholic upbringing while discussing her state of mind at the time of the killings.
Heilbrun mentioned Clancy's statement that she told her children to “Go to God” before killing them and questioned her about Catholic teachings on suicide.
The defence immediately objected, and attorney Kevin Reddington moved for a mistrial, accusing the prosecution of improperly introducing religion into the trial.