Trial shifts in Costello murder case

SANDPOINT — Proceedings against a Cocolalla man accused of shooting his son to death last year are being postponed, 1st District Court records show.

James Michael Costello Sr. was scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing in his case, but the hearing was reset for May 22, 2020. The postponement also pushed back his jury trial to June 9, 2020.

In a joint motion, Public Defender Janet Whitney and Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall sought the delay so because “additional time is needed to investigate circumstances.” Judge Barbara Buchanan granted the motion on Nov. 18.

Costello, 72, is accused gunning down his son, James Michael Jr., inside their former home, a converted bus, in November 2018. The killing was discovered after the elder Costello was arrested for driving under the influence and eluding law enforcement in Kootenai County. A jury in Coeur d’Alene convicted him of the offenses in September and he was ordered to serve up to three years in prison, court records indicate.

Costello Sr. was originally charged with first-degree murder because investigators determined he disabled a surveillance camera prior to the shooting, which occurred during an alcohol-fueled argument in which the younger Costello alternately threatening suicide and ordering his father to kill him, according to court documents. The younger Costello was also recorded threatening to kill his father.

A judge found there was insufficient evidence to sustain a charge of first-degree murder and ordered Costello to be tried at the second degree.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.