Kubina gets 35 years in prison for 'great sin'

CROWN POINT | The stepmother of a boy whose body was discovered in 2011 in a shallow grave in Gary was sentenced Tuesday to 35 years in prison.

EDITORIAL: Keep up pressure for DCS reforms

Legislation to bring necessary reforms to the Department of Child Services has fortunately cleared the first hurdles in the Indiana General Assembly.

Riley Choate sentenced to 80 years in prison

CROWN POINT | With members of Christian Choate’s family looking on Friday, Lake County Criminal Court Judge Diane Boswell sentenced the slain boy’s father, Riley Choate, to 80 years in prison.

Riley Choate admits to horrific acts in death of 13-year-old son

CROWN POINT | Riley Choate showed no emotion Friday as he pleaded guilty to multiple charges relating to the neglect and death of his 13-year-old son.

Choate case lawyers agree to tape out-of-state witnesses

CROWN POINT | Out-of-state witnesses in the Riley Choate murder case will be deposed on videotape, but they still may be called to testify at trial.

Judge bumps Choate trial to January

CROWN POINT | Lake Criminal Court Judge Diane Boswell on Monday appointed the public defender's office the lone counsel for Riley Choate, delaying Choate's murder trial to January.

Choate trial may be delayed

CROWN POINT | Lake Criminal Court Judge Diane Boswell will hold a hearing Monday on whether to delay the trial of accused murderer Riley Choate.

Judge appoints public defender co-counsel in Choate case

CROWN POINT | Hammond attorney Randy Godshalk will continue to go unpaid in his defense of Riley Choate but will be joined by an attorney from the public defender's office.

Court orders Christian Choate's body released to mother

CROWN POINT | A Lake County court ordered the body of Christian Choate released to his biological mother Friday during a hearing in advance of his father's murder trial.

Prosecutors: Conviction could land Riley Choate in prison for life

CROWN POINT | Riley Choate, a former Gary man facing murder and other charges in the death of his teenage son, was told Tuesday he would serve an additional 30 years in prison if convicted under habitual offender laws.

County tapped for Choate defense costs, but attorney must fend for own fees

CROWN POINT | Hammond attorney Randy Godshalk remains tethered to representing Riley Choate, even though his client has run out of money to pay him and Godshalk has tried twice to cut ties.

Attorneys not ready for upcoming Choate trial

CROWN POINT | Lake County Criminal Court on Tuesday reluctantly reset the murder trial of a couple accused of murder and other multiple felonies in the death of 13-year-old Christian Choate.

Defense scrambles as Choate murder trial approaches

CROWN POINT | Defense lawyers for the father and former step-mother of abuse victim Christian Choate told a judge they are running out of money and time to prepare for next month's murder trial.

Choate divorce stalls

CROWN POINT | Riley Choate and Kimberly Kubina, who are accused of murder and other crimes in the death of Choate's teenage son, are expected to appear Wednesday before Lake Circuit Court George Paras in connection with divorce proceedings.

Christina Choate: Dad beat, blamed her for brother's death

CROWN POINT | The sister of slain Christian Choate admitted Monday to regularly punishing her brother by order of their father and stepmother.

Sister of slain Gary teen may testify at parents' bail hearing

CROWN POINT | The sister of slain Gary teen Christian Choate might testify at Monday's bail hearing for the siblings' father and stepmother.

Ombudsman reviews Choate case

A Department of Child Services ombudsman said this week that she reviewed the state agency's interactions with 13-year-old Christian Choate's family.

May 14 trial date is scheduled for duo in Choate murder case

CROWN POINT | The couple charged with murder in the death of 13-year-old Christian Choate are set to face trial May 14.

Date set for Choate divorce hearing

CROWN POINT | A divorce hearing for murder defendants Riley Choate and Kimberly Kubina is set for Dec. 20 in Lake Circuit Court, court documents show.