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Judge to Consider Evidence in Oklahoma Politician's Death

Labor Commissioner Mark Costello
State of Oklahoma
Labor Commissioner Mark Costello

Judge to consider evidence in Oklahoma politician's death 

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A 27-year-old man charged with fatally stabbing his father, who was Oklahoma's labor commissioner, is due in court.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Friday for Christian Costello, who is charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 23 stabbing death of Mark Costello. Prosecutors will present evidence before Special Judge Lisa Hammond and Hammond will decide whether a crime has been committed and whether there is probable cause that Christian Costello committed it.

Prosecutors say Costello attacked his father with a knife and repeatedly stabbed him at an Oklahoma City restaurant. Costello has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Costello's attorney, Chief Public Defender Bob Ravitz, has said Costello is "very remorseful." Costello's family has said in a statement that he suffers from a mental illness.