Astoria, Ore. – (KGW) The attorney for the mother accused of drowning her toddler and seriously injuring her teen daughter in a Cannon Beach hotel room says her client she is not mentally fit to proceed.
Jessica Smith’s trial was initially scheduled to begin in June, on aggravated murder and aggravated attempted murder charges.
On Monday, attorney Lynne Morgan filed a motion that could delay the case.
In the court documents obtained by KGW, Morgan says she has met with Smith on several occasions and believes she is not mentally competent to stand trial at this time.
“I have had ample opportunity to observe her behavior and thought process,” Morgan said. “It is my opinion Ms. Smith currently suffers from a mental disease or defect and is unable to aid and assist in her own defense.”
Smith was arrested two days after her young daughter was killed. A housekeeper at the Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach found the 2-year-old girl dead in a hotel room and her 13-year-old sister suffering from severe cuts, according to Cannon Beach police.
Smith was spotted by a Coast Guard helicopter crew and captured about 15 miles from Cannon Beach, wandering along a remote logging road.
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