Lindsay Clancy's best friends stand by her in 'America's saddest murder trial' as ex-husband gives emotional testimony about the night the children were killed: Live updates

Lindsay Clancy's closest friends have stood by her during the murder trial of her three children, describing her as 'normal middle-class woman' who became sick.

'We were always laughing about something stupid and having fun,' one friend told New York Post.

Another said: 'I just want there to be truth put out about her, since everything so far has been painting her like a monster.

'That’s been awful to witness as someone who has looked up to Lindsay for so many years. The system failed her, and she doesn’t deserve what happened. Her family didn’t deserve to be ripped apart. And I truly believe this tragedy could have been prevented had she received the proper care.'

Patrick Clancy was excused from the courtroom while the prosecution displayed the clothing the children wore when they were murdered.

Lindsay is looking away while her lawyer holds her hand.

Cora wore a matching pajama set with a pink robe.

Dawson was wearing dinosaur underwear and a grey long-sleeved shirt.

Callan wore a printed red one-piece.

The prosecution also displayed the exercise bands found on the children. A yellow band was around Dawson, a black band around Cora and a blue band around Callan.

Patrick Clancy described a phone call he received from Lindsay while she was in the hospital.

'She didn't talk about our kids; she talked about what she went through,' he said.

'She said that she heard a man's voice telling her that if she didn't do it now, she would lose her chance.'

Patrick Clancy testified that the first child he found in the basement was his daughter Cora.

'I saw Cora. She had a band around her neck. She was face down,' he said.

Patrick previously described the bands as if you 'tied your shoes but don't tie the bow.'

'I immediately ran over and tried to take the band off,' Patrick continued.

He said she was unresponsive, and Callan was next to her with a band around his neck.

Patrick then said he found Dawson and said he 'knew he was gone.'

Patrick Clancy described running outside after discovering the horrific scene inside the bedroom.

'I ran downstairs and went outside. I just looked around outside below that window, and I found Lindsay. She was face up in the backyard.

Patrick said he went to his wife and saw she had deep cuts on her wrist and a red line across her neck.

'I wasn't sure what it was at first,' he said.

Patrick said he asked Lindsay what happened and she told him she tried to kill herself.

He asked her where the kids were, and she told him they were in the basement.

During this testimony, Lindsay appeared to remain composed and keeping her gaze down.

Jurors saw pictures inside Lindsay and Patrick Clancy's bedroom from the evening of the murders.

Patrick came home to discover blood 'sprayed' across their bedroom from Lindsay's self-inflicted knife injuries.

Patrick Clancy appeared to tremble as he described walking into the bedroom where his ex-wife attempted suicide.

He said the bedroom door was locked, 'and that's when I knew something was wrong.'

Patrick described the window being open and the wind blowing in.

He said the blood was 'everywhere, it looked like it was sprayed with a hose.'

'I remember it was on the doorknob,' Patrick said.

The court was shown photos of the Clancy house on the night of the murders.

The photos included exterior and interior images of the house, including the table where Patrick placed the food.

When asked about an image showing the back of the house, Patrick said: 'This is the back of the house and the window where Lindsay jumped out.'

Patrick said the house was really quiet, which was unusual.

'I called down to the basement, then I called Lindsay to see if she was home,' he said, adding the basement door was closed.

The court was shown footage of Patrick Clancy picking up the takeout food ordered by Lindsay on the day of the murders.

He quickly checked his phone, then received the food.

A receipt showed the order was in Patrick's name. The order was for a Mediterranean power bowl and scallop and pork belly risotto.

Patrick turned to the judge and said something. Judge Sullivan then asked to see the attorneys at a sidebar.

During sidebar, Patrick is fidgeting uncomfortably in his chair. A court officer has passed him a glass of water.

He appeared to blink a lot as he tried not to cry.

Patrick Clancy described shopping at CVS Pharmacy on the day of his children's murders.

He recounted calling Lindsay to ask a question about a stool softener she had asked him to collect.

'She was pretty quiet,' Patrick said about the call. 'It sounded like she was busy. I remember hanging up and thinking it sounded like she was giving baths or something like that.'