Accused NC killer mom plans insanity defense — as retired judge says more may follow Lindsay Clancy strategy
Andrea Faust's insanity defense in her son's killing draws direct parallels to Lindsay Clancy's postpartum psychosis case as jurors deliberate.
TL;DR
- Andrea Faust, charged with murder, plans to use insanity and diminished capacity defenses.
- Her case is being compared to Lindsay Clancy's trial, where a similar defense related to postpartum psychosis is being considered.
- A retired judge expects insanity defenses to increase due to national attention on postpartum mental health.
- Faust's attorney states her client couldn't distinguish right from wrong, though not suffering from postpartum psychosis.
- Both women are described as loving mothers struggling with severe mental health issues, hallucinations, and hospitalizations.
- Attorneys argue both women sought help but were not taken seriously by doctors.
- The cases are seen as highlighting societal failures in addressing women's mental health.
- Faust was initially found incapable of proceeding to trial but later deemed capable, with further evaluation planned for her mental state at the time of the alleged offenses.
- Judges note that mental health defenses are often unsuccessful, especially in cases involving children, despite their potential to explain behavior.