Rebecca Jollotta testified about Clancy's symptoms, medication changes, suicidal thoughts, and evolving differential diagnosis. Cross-examination addressed persistent depression and gaps in communication with other providers. The judge also reserved decision on a proposed defense witness concerning McLean Hospital.
Full day summary
The judge reserved decision on the defense request to call former McLean Hospital employee Emily Thorndike. The Commonwealth objected on disclosure, sequestration, relevance, and personal-knowledge grounds. The judge rejected general evaluations of hospital quality but considered factual testimony about holiday staffing and program availability a closer question. He indicated that a voir dire might be appropriate. Julie Paul then completed brief cross-examination, during which South Shore Health records were admitted without objection as Exhibit 222.
Psychiatric nurse practitioner Rebecca Jollotta described treating Lindsay Clancy from November 29 through December 21, 2022. She recounted depression, anxiety, insomnia, intrusive suicidal thoughts, and medication changes. Possible bipolar disorder entered her differential, although the reported symptoms did not meet diagnostic criteria at the December 6 visit. Later concerns about a mixed manic or hypomanic state prompted recommendations to increase Seroquel and hold Prozac. Jollotta described partial-hospitalization recommendations, discussion of emergency evaluation on December 15, and a subsequent Seroquel taper despite reservations about support and monitoring.
On cross-examination, the defense questioned medication decisions and communication with other providers. Jollotta denied receiving a call described in a Women and Infants note. She acknowledged lacking that program's assessment and McLean's records, diagnosis, and treatment information. She corrected counsel's screening-score chronology and agreed that serious depressive symptoms persisted despite improved sleep. Although Clancy had not reported hearing voices to her, Jollotta explained that hallucinations were not universal among postpartum-psychosis patients she had treated.
On redirect, Jollotta confirmed that the CVS record listed no January 2023 prescriptions from her. She distinguished suicidal thoughts from a disclosed plan or intent and said her contacts with Clancy had not raised concerns about postpartum psychosis. An additional Women and Infants packet remained marked for identification, and proposed DSM excerpts remained unresolved. Jollotta was excused after the defense withdrew an unanswered recross question.
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