Thomas Junta

Thomas Junta, of Massachusetts, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2002 after he beat Michael Costin to death. Costin was the informal referee of a pick-up hockey game involving the mens' sons [ [http://www.courttv.com/trials/junta/verdict_ctv.html "Jury convicts hockey dad of manslaughter", by Harriet Ryan, Court TV News, 1/11/02] ] .

Junta was charged with voluntary manslaughter. The jury which tried his case opted instead to convict him of the lesser crime of involuntary manslaughter. Judge Charles Grabau sentenced Junta to 6-10 years, which was twice Massachusetts' suggested sentence for involuntary manslaughter.

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 [ [http://wbztv.com/local/Thomas.Junta.hockey.2.697880.html "Dad Denied Parole In Hockey Beating Death", WBZTV.com, 4/11/08] ] .

Portrayal in fiction

*The Law & Order episode "Thin Ice", from the series' 11th season, is based on Junta's arrest.

References

External links

* [http://www.courttv.com/trials/junta/ Court TV coverage of Thomas Junta, the hockey dad convicted of manslaughter]
* [http://usnewslink.web.aplus.net/rinkrage.htm RINK RAGE:The Killing of Michael Costin] USNewsLink, Judith Haney, 2002