Hockey Dad gets 6-10!

1/25/02 | WABC News Radio

[chriservative]

Thomas Junta sentenced 6 to 10 years. Breaking . . .

[Eric in the Ozarks]

If the sentence is really 10 years, then figure 4 years and 8 months.

[Future Snake Eater]

The Judge seemed insulted that the defense mentioned Constin's past.

If I recall correctly, the Judge had ordered that Constin's past was not to be discussed in the trial. From what I've heard about his past it probably would have influenced the jury's thinking by quite a bit, in favor of Junta.

[Amore]

I just heard this morning about his wife beating. It made me wonder what his defenders would say about him now. I guess they'd say his wife attacked him, and so he had to defend himself by bashing her skull.

[NittanyLion]

For those of you scoring at home, this is two for instigation, five for fighting, and ten for misconduct.

[alisasny]

Over a 12 year period Costin had i believe 10 runins with the law including assaulting a police officer.

[BlackbirdSST]

I hope you never have to defend yours or any one elses life. Blackbird.

[FR_addict]

I thought the one that abused his wife was the dead man, NOT the one convicted. The dead man beat his wife, assualted a cop, is an alcoholic, and was taking a mixture of precription drugs to control his behavior at the time of the fight. The dead man had 7 convictions also.

[Coleus]

It's too bad the judge did not go with his first decision, increase the sentence past the 6-10 yrs. I am glad this man will do some time. Not enough for what he did.

[NittanyLion]

Junta was defending himself against an attacker, with a skate in his hand.

This is the first time I heard about the skate. Did that come out in the trial? Was Costin brandishing it as a weapon?

[BansheeBill]

I wonder how much time this guy will actually serve?If he behaves himself(no more beating deaths),he could be out in 16-24 months.

A well known Boston Criminal Attorney (J Albert Johnson) just said on a Boston radio talk show that Junta will have to serve two thirds of the maximum 10 year sentence, and at that time, he will come before a parole hearing, where, if he wants to get out, he would be well advised to admit to his guilt. Otherwise, the Parole Board may well send him back to serve some more time.

[drjimmy]

I don't believe Junta's violent past was brought up in the trial, either. The evidence dealt strictly with the events in the hockey rink that day. Once Junta was convicted based on that evidence, the judge was correct to take into account Junta's propensity for violence in determining a sentence. The "gentle giant" claim didn't sway a jury that didn't even know about Junta's violent streak, so it sure as heck wasn't going to sway a judge who did know.

[FR_addict]

The dead man had the skates on and was kicking the other man with the skates. I hadn't heard about the convicted man beating his wife only the dead man. I would have thought this would have been brought out before now if true.

[CharlieDarwin]

I watched the sentencing on Court-TV. I would like to thank this judge for sentencing him the way he did. I thought he deserved even more time, but six to ten is good enough.

Agreed: maybe it will be long enough to get to know his 350 lb cellmate, Leroy, better.

[Lexington Green]

Costin's past was highly relevant -- the judge railroaded Junta by withholdingg evidence... this was not a fair trial

[LN2Campy]

I think the scumtoast is one of ours -- My guess is that "Junta" is an Americanized verison of "Giunta". There are a lot of mini "Bensonhursts" all over Beantown.

[keepinitreal]

That's what I heard, I could be wrong but thats the last I heard. Kindof changes the situation a little doesn't it?

[DoughtyOne]

That's because once Junta had Costin on the ground it was over. Hitting him a couple of times would have been one thing, but continuously hitting him until his head was one big blood clot is another. Then bashing his head against the cement was uncalled for. The jury and the judge agreed. You guys need to accept that Junta was out of control even after going outside to cool off. He even brused the manager of the rink.

[NittanyLion]

Boston Globe reports: When a judge sentences Thomas Junta today in the fatal beating of a fellow hockey father during a rink fight, he could take into consideration two other episodes in Junta's life - a 1991 restraining order alleging the beating of his wife in front of their young children, and charges that he assaulted a police officer the following year.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree. Thanks.

[DoughtyOne]

It's similarity to the hocky rink incident eas earie.