Man Released From Mass. Prison After Serving Time for Beating Death of Fellow Hockey Dad
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Thomas Junta (AP).
A Massachusetts man convicted of killing another father at their sons’ hockey practice was released from prison Thursday after serving eight years behind bars, MyFoxBoston.com reported.
Thomas Junta was sentenced to 6 to 10 years in state prison after he was convicted in 2002 of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Costin.
Prosecutors said that Junta beat Costin to death on July 5, 2000, after the two men argued over a rough play at their sons' youth hockey practice in Reading, Mass.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Junta claimed he had acted in self-defense but witnesses recall that the 6'1, 270-pound truck driver pinned Costin to the floor at the Burbank Ice Arena before repeatedly hitting him in the head. Costin, 40, died of his injuries two days later.
A spokesman for the state Department of Correction confirmed that 52-year-old Junta was released Thursday after completing his sentence, the station reported.
The jury in the case opted against the more serious charge of manslaughter, which calls for a 20-year maximum prison term. Judge Charles Grabau, however, sentenced Junta to double what the state sentencing guidelines are for involuntary manslaughter.
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