’60 Minutes’ Reporter Explains Patrick Clancy’s Reason for Doing Interview

The journalist behind an upcoming interview with Lindsay Clancy’s ex-husband has said the grieving father wanted to “put the spotlight” on his children amid the controversy that has surrounded the closely watched case.

Lindsay Clancy, a 36-year-old former labor and delivery nurse, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her children—Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and 8-month-old Callan—at the family's Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in January 2023. She pleaded not guilty, with her defense attorney arguing that postpartum psychosis had left her not criminally responsible for their deaths.

The 12 jurors deliberated for seven days but failed to reach a unanimous verdict, leading Judge William Sullivan to declare a mistrial.

Her ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, has given an interview to CBS News' 60 Minutes, which is scheduled to air Sunday.

Speaking on CBS Evening News on Friday, 60 Minutes correspondent Ross Douthat told viewers what to expect from the broadcast.

“I think the biggest thing is just a portrait of Patrick’s life in the aftermath of this incredible tragedy and what it’s like to deal with that kind of grief—that kind of unimaginable experience as a father,” he said. “And then what it means to try and rebuild your life in the shadow of that experience and try and go forward from there.”

Asked why he believed Patrick Clancy decided to sit down for the interview, Douthat said: “I think from the beginning, he’s been focused on trying to make sure that the memory of his children stays alive and stays close to the center of this story. Obviously, there’s been so many debates, so much controversy about all of the different issues around this story…"

He added: “And there have been all kinds of online accusations against Patrick himself, and he felt like his kids [were] getting lost in all that noise, and he wanted to put the spotlight on them.”

Baseless accusations have been made by some social media accounts that Patrick was responsible for, or involved in, the killings of his children, despite the fact that Lindsay admitted to the killings. No evidence suggests he was involved.

On September 9, Patrick's lawyer, Howard Cooper, said Patrick and his family have been "subjected to a relentless, escalating and destructive defamation campaign" that has been "launched and promoted by minor celebrities, so-called influencers and outright conspiracy theorists who appear intent on boosting their own social media profiles and potential profit by publishing what they know to be outright falsehoods that Patrick was somehow involved in the death of his young children and other vile claims."

"Enough is enough -- this spread of blatant and baseless falsehoods must stop," Cooper said. "Those responsible should understand that there will be consequences, and every appropriate measure will be pursued to hold them accountable, including legally. Law enforcement has been notified."

In a preview clip released by 60 Minutes on Friday, Dr. Rachel Danis spoke about her relationship with her husband.

"I don't understand how the story has been so twisted," she said. "But I would hope people know that Pat is, as I said before, the most selfless father and supportive partner. And I was just a girl that met a guy running in Central Park on a really cold Saturday, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

The couple wed in April, more than three years after the children's deaths and after Patrick and Lindsay had divorced.

In another short preview clip ahead of Sunday, Patrick tells Douthat that he still talks to his children. When asked what he says to them, he said: "Help me. All the time."

"Do they help you?" Douthat asked to which Patrick replied: "I like to believe they do. It's a way I stay connected to them."

Patrick's interview comes as prosecutors consider whether to retry Lindsay Clancy after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. A hearing in the case is scheduled for September 29.

Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Tobias Meyjes, Anthony Murray and Edward Pearcey.