OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma County judge has sealed the will and other papers of slain Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello.
Costello died Aug. 23 after being stabbed at an Oklahoma City restaurant. His 27-year-old son — Christian Costello — is charged with first-degree murder in the case.
Associate District Judge Richard Kirby wrote in an order dated Sept. 11 that opening the records could lead to speculation and a possible negative impact on Mark Costello's reputation; unnecessary input from people not involved in the case and possibly have a negative impact on Christian Costello's right to a fair trial.
Kirby also wrote that the family has a right to grieve in private and that the records could negatively affect a request by Mark Costello's widow for a protective order against Christian Costello's girlfriend.