Corie Walsh Held in Son’s Killing; Clancy Trial Discussed

FRANKFORT, Ill. — A Will County judge on Tuesday ordered Corie Walsh to remain in custody while she awaits trial on first-degree murder charges in the death of her 2-year-old son, Barrett.

Walsh appeared in court wearing handcuffs and shackles, at times keeping her head lowered during the proceedings. Her defense attorneys argued the case should not be prosecuted as first-degree murder, saying Walsh was in the midst of a psychotic episode when the child was killed.

Warning: The details of the story may be disturbing to some viewers.

In court, prosecutors described allegations surrounding Barrett’s Sept. 1 death at the family’s home on Brookstone Court in Frankfort. They said the child was found hanging from rafters in the basement after his siblings came home from school. A neighbor found him, began CPR and called 911. Barrett was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Prosecutors also alleged Walsh’s 8-month-old infant was left unsupervised on a carpeted area in another part of the home while Walsh was allegedly trying to harm herself in an upstairs bathtub. They said the same neighbor found Walsh, removed a kitchen knife from her hands and used a towel to apply pressure to wounds on her wrists and thighs.

According to prosecutors, “the defendant told officers she did this to her baby because he was the ‘devil’ and the ‘anti-Christ.’”

Prosecutors further alleged Walsh threatened to kill her husband when he returned from an out-of-state trip by giving him a poisoned drink. They said investigators found a drink and open bottles of prescribed medication on a counter inside the home. The couple’s three other children were not physically harmed, though prosecutors alleged Walsh had also threatened to kill them.

The hearing also referenced the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. Prosecutors said, “Witnesses informed the officers that the defendant had recently become very invested in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial; at the time of this occurrence, the jury was still deliberating on the matter.”

According to prosecutors, Walsh participated in a group chat with other mothers in which she believed Clancy’s husband had killed their children but allegedly texted on the morning of the incident that she had changed her view.

Walsh is represented by Casey Anthony’s former attorney Andrea Lyon and Anthony Kerr, who rejected any connection between Walsh’s case and the Clancy trial.

“The speculation that this has anything to do with copycat or anything like that is baseless and cruel,” Lyon said.

The defense also challenged the first-degree murder charges, arguing that statements Walsh allegedly made that day were disorganized and unreliable because she was experiencing psychosis.

“We feel very strongly about what Corie needs, the attention she needs, and we’re going to continue fighting for that. This is not a case of first degree murder, it’s anything but that,” Kerr said.

Members of Walsh’s family attended the hearing in support of her. Defense attorneys said Walsh’s husband and mother were unable to attend because Barrett’s funeral was being held Tuesday. They also said Walsh’s husband continues to support her despite the alleged threats against his life.

Walsh’s attorneys said they are considering an appeal of the judge’s detention ruling and may seek pretrial release at a future hearing. Walsh is scheduled to return to court Sept. 24.

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