Rice sworn in as judge

In the courtroom where Hill County Attorney David Rice for many years called witnesses to take an oath, Rice himself Monday raised his right hand to be sworn in.

During a half-hour ceremony on the top floor of the Hill County Courthouse, Rice left behind 30 years as a prosecutor to don a judge's robe. Rice became the state's newest district judge during the ceremony, and was sworn in by the man he replaced.

Supreme Court Justice John Warner resigned from the post in May after he was awarded a spot on Montana's highest court by Gov. Judy Martz. Warner served as district judge in the 12th Judici...