Thomas Junta
Thomas Junta is 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. Costin was the informal referee of a pick-up hockey game involving the men's sons. 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. Judge Charles Grabau sentenced Junta to incarceration for six to ten years.
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".
Junta was eventually released on August 27, 2010.
