Thomas Junta

Thomas Junta was an American hockey dad from Reading, Massachusetts who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2002 after his attack on Michael Costin led to Costin's death.[1] Costin was the informal referee of a pick-up hockey game involving the men's sons.[2] The attack and the fight which ensued was witnessed by about a dozen children, including Junta's son and Costin's three sons.

Junta was originally charged with voluntary manslaughter. The jury acquitted him on this charge, instead convicting him of involuntary manslaughter, a lesser offense, on the basis of his claim of self-defense.[3] Judge Charles Grabau sentenced Junta to incarceration for six to ten years.[4]

In April 2008, Junta was denied parole for the second time. In denying his request, the Massachusetts Parole Board said that "Junta had failed to fully accept responsibility for his actions".[5]

Junta was eventually released on August 27, 2010.[6] He died on December 16, 2020 after a battle with cancer

References
  1. "Hockey Dad Found Guilty". CBS News. January 2, 2002. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  2. Harriet Ryan (January 12, 2002). "Hockey Dad Guilty In Killing Of Coach". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014.
  3. "Jury convicts hockey dad of involuntary manslaughter". The Washington Times. January 12, 2002. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  4. "Hockey Dad Killer Gets Six to 10 Years in Prison". CNN. January 25, 2002. Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  5. "Reading hockey dad denied parole release". Daily Times Chronicle. Woburn Daily Times. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  6. "Man Released From Mass. Prison After Serving Time for Beating Death of Fellow Hockey Dad". Fox News. August 27, 2010. Archived from the original on August 28, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2014.


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