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Woman who smothered her mom judged insane By David Pressler Carol Rice, who smothered her mother to death last April, will be sent to a state mental hospital rather than prison. On Friday, the 36-year-old Medford woman was found guilty of murder but for insanity by Judge Patricia Crain in the death of Shirley Rice. Carol Rice, who has a long history of mental illness, will be turned over to the state Psychiatric Security Review Board. The board will decide how long she should remain in custody and could sentence her to life. A date for the sentencing hearing has not been set. "There's no question that she committed the homicide," Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston told the court Friday morning. Huddleston also said he discussed the situation with Rice's three sisters and brother, who raised no objection to her being turned over to the mental hospital. Two psychiatrists, one chosen by the defense and the other a state forensic expert, evaluated Rice. The defense expert diagnosed schizo affective disorder. The state expert's diagnosis wasn't as clear, but he couldn't rule out a psychotic motive for the murder. During psychiatric interviews, Rice admitted smothering her 71-year-old mother with a pillow. Police found the woman's body April 11 in her home on Siskiyou Boulevard. Investigators believe the victim had been dead for two to three days. In October, Carol Rice was indicted on murder charges and arrested. She has been held in the Jackson County Jail since then. Investigators alleged that Rice killed her mother because of her mother's plans to sell the family home and move out of state. Rice lived with her mother and depended on her for financial support. Rice pleaded not guilty to the crime but agreed to a stipulated facts trial -- a type of trial common for drug cases but a rarity in murder cases. In a stipulated facts trial, the state and the defense submit police and medical reports that provide the evidence usually gleaned from witnesses. The case is decided by a judge, not a jury. Rice's case was decided in two proceedings Friday, neither of which lasted longer than 10 minutes. After Rice agreed to the stipulated facts trial in the morning, Crain deliberated and found her guilty but for insanity early Friday afternoon. "I have to say this a tragic situation," Crain told the court. "I believe Ms. Rice will be living with this for the rest of her life." "Good luck to you," Crain added as Rice was led from the courtroom. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA