Labor commissioner's killer to remain confined to mental hospital, for now
An independent board deadlocked 3-3 this week on whether the killer of a former Oklahoma labor commissioner should get supervised day passes from a state mental hospital.
The Forensic Review Board could vote again in July.
Christian Costello, 34, is being treated at the mental hospital in Vinita. He stabbed his father on Aug. 23, 2015, at a Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Store in north Oklahoma City.
Mark Costello, 59, died after being taken to a hospital. He'd been state labor commissioner more than four years.
The son in 2018 was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity and committed to the mental hospital. His treatment team is recommending he get supervised day passes once a week to an outpatient facility.
An Oklahoma County judge will have the final say if the Forensic Review Board agrees with the recommendation.
Meetings of the board are not public. The Oklahoman learned of the outcome from records.
More: Christian Costello found not guilty by reason of insanity in death of state labor commissioner
Both Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna and Attorney General Gentner Drummond objected to day passes for Costello.
After the vote on Tuesday, the AG complained that the three board members in favor of the day passes prioritized the desire of a mentally ill killer ahead of public safety.
"Their votes indicate a callous lack of regard for the Costello family’s well-being. I will do everything in my power to prevent any form of release for Christian Costello," Drummond said.
A psychiatrist who examined Christian Costello on behalf of the defense reported in 2017 he believed his father was "feeding" off him.
"Mr. Costello has a long history of Schizoaffective Disorder. This is an incurable, lifelong illness," psychiatrist Jason Beaman wrote in a 53-page report.
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"Mr. Costello believed that his father was a demon from a reptilian race. He did not believe that it was wrong to kill a demon."
Referring to someone as insane has come to be considered derogatory in society but is still used in legal circles and in Oklahoma law.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Labor commissioner's killer to stay at Oklahoma mental hospital for now
