Cambridge, Mass. — The father of a young hockey player was convicted of involuntary manslaughter Friday for beating another man to death at their sons' practice as onlookers begged him to stop.
Thomas Junta, 44, bowed his head as the jury forewoman haltingly read the verdict. Junta said nothing and showed little reaction before he was led away as several of his brothers sobbed in the courtroom.
Family and friends listen as the verdict is read during the trial of Thomas Junta in Cambridge, Mass. Junta was on trial for the beating death of Michael Costin after their sons' hockey practice in July 2000. Junta, found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, claimed he killed Costin, 40, in self-defense after they argued over rough play during the practice.
The burly truck driver had been tried on the more serious charge of manslaughter, which includes excessive use of force in self-defense. He faces up to 20 years in prison, but as a first-time offender will probably be sentenced to a much shorter term perhaps three to five years on Jan. 25.
"I feel sorry for him, I really do. But I can't say he's not guilty," said juror Richard Rotberg, 53, a sales executive and former youth soccer coach. "A man was killed. Someone has to be accountable for it."
The closely watched case had become a symbol of what some say is a growing wave of parental violence at youth sporting events. The trial was carried on national cable networks, and the case has dominated talk radio shows.
Junta said he killed Michael Costin, 40, in self-defense after they argued over rough play during the practice on July 5, 2000.
He said he tried to avoid coming to blows with Costin, but fought back after the smaller man threw a "sucker punch," jumped on him and continued to hit and kick him after the two men fell to the floor.
Junta said he landed just "three off-balance" punches, a claim backed up by witnesses that included his 12-year-old son, Quinlan.
But two witnesses testified Junta struck Costin repeatedly in the head while pinning him to the floor of the Burbank Ice Arena in Reading. The two women said Junta ignored their screams to stop and insistence that "you're going to kill him!"
Costin never regained consciousness and died a day later.
Junta
After the verdict, Costin's sister, Mary Barbuzzi, said she hoped no other family would have to endure such "senseless pain."
"Michael Costin was a loving brother, a caring son but most of all he was a dedicated father," she said, standing next to Costin's four children. "Our family will never be complete again."
Added Dist. Atty. Martha Coakley: "Our hope tonight is that if there is any good that comes out of this it will be that we will not see another parent on an autopsy table as a result of parental rage over children's sports."
Medical experts for both sides said Costin died of a ruptured artery in his neck. They differed sharply on how much force in this case, how many blows was needed to cause the injury.
The fatal confrontation began after Junta became angry about slashing and checking at what was supposed to be a non-contact scrimmage that Costin was supervising. Junta said he saw a player elbow his son in the face.
Witnesses said Junta yelled at Costin for not controlling the play, and Costin replied: "That's hockey." The two men later got into a scuffle near the locker rooms that was quickly broken up by bystanders.
Junta went outside, but returned moments later.
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