Lawyers Floating Mental Health In Cannon Beach Killing

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — Defense lawyers for a mother accused of killing one daughter and injuring another at a Cannon Beach hotel last summer say they intend to present evidence she was in a "disordered mental state" at the time of the alleged crimes.
Lawyers for Jessica Smith said in a defense motion that the evidence of Smith's mental state may come in the form of expert testimony of a mental health professional or from laypersons with knowledge of the defense.
The motion states a jury would have to consider whether Smith's mind was and continues to be disordered, chaotic and abnormal.
The notices say it would be Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis' burden to establish Smith's mental state was healthy and rational.
The Goldendale, Washington, woman is charged with aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder.
The trial isn't scheduled to begin until next year.