Judge: Won't release body of boy "allegedly" killed by custodial dad, step (Gary, Indiana)

More on custodial dad RILEY CHOATE, who is accused in the torture and murder of his 13-year-old son. This article is one of the few times you'll see Daddy's custodial status confirmed. But as usual, we avoid the issue of how and why Daddy got custody, and what corrupt judge gave it to him.

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/6988607-537/judge-rules-christin-choates-body-wont-be-released-for-burial.html

Judge rules Christin Choate’s body won’t be released for burial
By Ruth Ann Krause Post-Tribune correspondent

August 10, 2011 1:56PM Updated: August 10, 2011 2:01PM

The body of a 13-year-old boy authorities say was killed by his father and stepmother will not be released for burial.

Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell ruled Wednesday that Christian Choate’s body will remain at the Lake County morgue until further notice. The decision came at a brief hearing during which Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter and defense attorneys Randy Godshalk and Linda Kollintzas said they jointly wanted to delay the burial.

Riley Choate, 39, of Hammond, and his wife, Kimberly Leona Kubina, 46, of Gary, have pleaded not guilty to murder, battery, neglect of a dependent and several other felony charges in the 2009 death of Christian Choate.

Riley Choate led investigators to the boy’s body, which was recovered May 4 from a shallow grave under a shed in the Colfax Mobile Home Park in Black Oak where the family lived.

Last week, Boswell had denied a renewed request by Godshalk for an independent autopsy on the boy’s body and ordered the coroner’s office to release the child to be buried. The boy’s funeral was May 20 at Ridgelawn Funeral Home.

In court Wednesday, Carter told the judge that parental rights are muddied in light of Choate having custody of Christian and his older sister but also being charged in the boy’s death.

In addition, Carter said the ongoing investigation into the boy’s death could necessitate additional examination of the body. Carter said if the body is released to Christian’s mother, Aimee Estrada, he thinks the remains would be cremated, making additional forensic examinations impossible.

Godshalk said attorneys also are waiting on DNA testing to confirm Choate is the boy’s father. In court, Choate told Boswell he is Christian’s father.