AG, DA want to halt recommendations for man in mental hospital for 2015 killing

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR) – There could be a halt in a recommendation to allow a man who killed his father to have day passes from the state’s mental hospital. Christian Costello has spent the last six years at the hospital, called Oklahoma Forensic Center, in Vinita. A recommendation by a treatment team at the hospital would allow Costello day passes, which would give him supervised treatment sessions at outside facilities.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said Monday he did not expect the recommendation to move forward.

"It will not happen. It will be delayed for review, but not until after he's assessed," said Drummond.

Costello was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the stabbing death of his father Mark Costello in 2015. Mark who was the state’s labor commissioner. Cathy Costello, Mark’s wife, was also there during the incident. She said her son has had a long history of mental illness.

She sent KFOR a statement Monday.

“In nine years, my son has never expressed any remorse to his family for stabbing his father repeatedly to death or admitted his actions. During yearly visits with my brother at the forensic center, my son on multiple occasions continues to express thoughts of killing me, and one of my siblings. It is apparent that my son Christian has never recovered from psychosis. Releasing him would be a danger to our family and to the public.“

Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna said allowing Costello the opportunity to have day passes would be dangerous. She said a state appointed doctor should assess his mental state.

"To determine whether or not he understands his mental illness, his need for medication," said Behenna.

It was something her staff attempted to do in May, but staff at the state’s mental hospital denied that assessment.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, day passes are issued to individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity. It is the initial step in the program to evaluate whether the person is progressing toward increased outpatient services and potential reintegration into the community.

The first step is a recommendation by the treatment team, then that recommendation would go to an internal review committee. The decision would be reviewed by the Forensics Review Board.

"We cannot turn loose murderers and abusers of victims into the community if they have mental health issues. They need to be rehabilitated."