The son of former Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the August 2015 fatal stabbing of his father. Court records indicate it was the result of a plea agreement. 29-year-old Christian Costello will remain in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. After the hearing, his mother, Cathy Costello, released the following statement:
“Today the courts reached the best possible outcome and the Costello family is relieved to have this behind us. Bob Ravitz and David Prater have our eternal thanks for their tireless efforts to reach a just and moral resolution and we are grateful for their concern and compassion. We are pleased justice was fairly served but we are still broken-hearted from losing Mark and Christian to the tragic reality of severe mental illness. 1 in 4 Oklahomans suffers with a mental illness and/or addiction — This issue affects everyone. We pray for every Oklahoman who needs help to please seek treatment so no other families will have to suffer as we have.”