Folks,

In case you haven't heard or have not been reading about the two hockey dads in the news recently, Mr Junta was convicted yersterday in the Middlesex county court in Mass. of involuntary manslaughter for the wrongful death of Mr Costin whom he beat to death over an argument at a sporting event in 2000. I've been getting updates from the NY Times and I'm still pissed off about it even though Mr Junta was convicted and may serve 5 years in prison.

It just doesn't seem right that one man can kill another in plain daylight at a local sporting event and only get a 5 year sentence. From what I have read and heard, Mr Junta is at least 2 times the size of Mr Costin and so he had the upper hand from the first blow that was struck. He hit Mr Costin so hard so many times that is almost ripped his head off his shoulders according to the autopsy report that was referenced.

I'm just sick about it, I can't believe two grown men could get so involved with a game to actually kill one another. From what I've read, neither of the two men were angels but no one deserves to be beaten to death over a damn game. Self defense when someone is trying to kill you I can accept but Mr Junta was barely scratched from what I could gather.

I guess once a man gets enraged, he apparently cant differentiate right from wrong, Bull Sheit IMO.

What's your opinion?

DaveMan

 

Dave,

I haven't really been keeping up with it...watching it on the news at night is all....the rink is just around the corner from the house and i have skated there often with my girls.......I feel bad for the kids...the men i'm not so sure...the one that got killed, did not deserve to die, obviously....and the one who beat him, should not have gone back in....I feel bad that one boy will not have a father ever..and yet another will only be able to tell dad about his first date..learning how to drive.......through a piece of grating......maybe the judge will not be too harsh.....I know one man is dead....but does the judge totally destroy another family.....does this sound to liberal? cause it sure looks it from here, which is a complete 180° of what i usually believe..


Ed

 

I heard the verdict - the foreperson seemed confused as to what verdict they'd actually reached & the judge had to assist her with reading it. Makes me wonder if they had really intended a different verdict?
The tragic irony here is the fight started because Mr. Junta was upset at the use of rough play on the ice! Talk about fighting fire w/fire?!? His behavior was inexcusable & as for the other man, I don't know the case well enough to comment but I hear he wasn't a model citizen. Sounds like 2 volatile personalities met w/tragic results. Maybe had either 1 of them been a bit more stable both would be alive now. I'm going to say a prayer for the families - both of them - who have been irreparably torn apart by this. They're victmms too.

 

um, EXCUSE ME! HELLO!
What ever happened to RESPONSABILITY?
Being responsable for ones own actions, and knowing that as a parent, your actions affect others besides yourself?
People are too damn selfish now a days. Me Me Me, except when it comes to responsability, then it is YOU, HIM, or HER.
As a parent, it is YOUR responsability to provide food, shelter, and an example to for your children to follow. If you can't do that from a jail cell, then I suggest you stay out of jail. [edited to add:] If you can't do that from a coffin, then I suggest you try your best to stay out of one.

Each man has already failed his family terribly, and now one is dead, and the other has an obligation to pay his debt to society. It is NOT society that is punishing his family, it is HIM, and HIM alone!

What keeps me from tearing out the throats of people that are are thoughtless and rude to me?
What keeps me from racing ahead of the car that cut me off in traffic and doing the same to them?
What keeps me from stealing even though I have been stolen from?
What keeps me from working 12 hours a day 7 days a week, so my kids can have the most expensive video games?
What kept me 10 years ago from hunting down and killing some one (I knew) who had broke several windows in my house, then came in and took a swing at me with an object, and chased me down the street? (If had a gun, I would have shot him on the spot, but if I could get away, then I remain free while the law does the work for me)

I am a PARENT, and I owe it to my kids to BE THERE for them. If I am doing something that will take away my ability to be the parent my kids deserve, then I am NOT doing it right.

 

Andthensometoo,

You've got a lot of valid points and I share your approach to the difference between law abiding and criminally minded people.

You know, there is a fine line that we ride each and every day which seperates the criminals from everyone else. As you said, it's the responsibility to our families and friends as well as the rest of society and ourselves to stay on the good side of that line mostly because of the punishment that comes from crossing it.

For the most part, we're all brought up on the same system of reward and punishment. If you're good, then you might get a reward, if you're bad then more than likely you'll get punished, if you get caught.

However, you should lighten up on Ed, I'm sure he doesn't think Mr Junta should be freed, I think he just feels bad for the man and his family. If Mr Junta was truely a murderer, then he probably wouldn't have taken the time to go to a hockey game to see his sons play.

I for one think Mr Junta acted in a totally animalistic way towards Mr Costin and because of that he must pay his dues. Unfortunatley, his children and his wife have to face the world and will have to pay a certain price too from people making fun and poking at them at school.

There is absolutely no good that can come from this situation except to influence those that are close to crossing the line and it just might make them think twice before taking the life of another no matter what the circumstances are.

We're all capable of murder if provoced, it's the punishment that goes along with getting caught that keeps us in line, as well as our own moral and ethical background creating our conscience.

God bless both families and us too.

Later,
DaveMan

 

I have been watching it on the news, it is one of the sadest things I have seen in a long time. I feel real bad for the kids and the families.

We will see what the Judge sets for prison time this week. I hope they lock him up for a long time. I feel a example has to be made so this type of thing doesn't happen again.

 

I've caught some of the testimony and one thing is pretty clear to me. Junta lost control and he didn't even stick around to see if he had seriously hurt Mr. Costin. There was testimony of people screaming for him to stop. He testified that he didn't even hear them.

Junta is a dangerous man and should be kept behind bars for a long time.

 

I gotta write this one down on my calendar. I actually agree with Dennis! Both people had records of being violent in the past. Junta knew that he had knocked him out when he slammed his head into the concrete. He shouldn't have gotten less that 20 years IMO. Too bad he wasn't tried by some of the good 'ol boys in GA. Mr. Junta obviously has no fear of the law or of losing his family. He even admitted he "had gotten the better of him" before the head slam. Looks like manslaughter to me, but I wasn't on the jury.

 

That's because this time, you're right!

 

No No, IM the one that's always right. :P

 

Okay! Not right, but correct! This time, you're correct. Both about being on the wrong side AND being correct on this issue!

 

Hey Dennis and Frank,

Guys Guys, calm down, don't you two get enraged, get into a fight, and one end up 6 feet under and the other behind bars!

Just kidding!

I too think Junta is getting off too light. Hell, if he'd done that same crime in Texas, he'd probably be gettin' the needle.

DaveMan

 

Andthensometoo,

I knew when I replied to this thread, that what I wrote was not what I was trying to say. I think Junta deserves what ever the judge gives him, and probably more, knowing what this state does with criminals.....a jury tried and convicted him, he must now pay the price that the judge deems appropriate. That’s how it works here in Massachusetts and I think most other states.

We have sentencing guidelines that must be followed. For this case the guidelines require that the judge sentence Junta to anywhere from probation to 20 years. If you want the conspiracy theory...I'm thinking the judge revoked his bail so that when sentencing day comes, he can sentence to "Time served" which I think you can't do that unless he (Junta) is in jail awaiting sentencing.

Will I be happy? No, he killed a man...whether he meant it or not, he did.... he has to pay. But, live here for a few years and see judges like Maria Lopez sentence 3 or 4 time child molesters to home detention and see drunk drivers, convicted of multiple vehicular homicide, sentenced to 6 months in the House of Detention and then figure on the scale of things what is fair... I do feel for Mr. Junta for the fact that if he could take it back he would......But, and this is what I meant to come through in my last reply. I feel very bad for the two families involved.

I don't have to imagine what it is like growing up without a father...its tough...I don't have to imagine what its like losing a loved one to death...its tough...and I will always feel for the families.... and I will watch the judge sentence Junta and will feel for his family too.

 

Damned, I hope this doesn't end up like that British nanny case a few years back. Time served. Just doesn't seem right when there's a death involved. People have gone to jail for far longer sentences for doing things not nearly as bad.

Daveman, not to worry. We're just taking friendly jabs at each other. It's all in fun.

 

I've played organized hockey up here in Canada for 25 years, and I've seen brawls on the ice and off the ice. I can remember mothers in fist fights in parking lots after games. The game brings out a lot of hostility, we burn it off by skating hard for 60 minutes, but parents sit there and stew...and some of them with big mouths and small brains start howling at referees or even young players on the opposing team (I remember one dad yelling "get that sonofa bi&^*" to his 8 year son after he had the puck taken off of him by the other team.
So all parents get excited, most get too excited, some get loud and obnoxious, and very very few get violent. I think this is an accurate cross-section of our society today anyhow...nothing unusual.

This clown in MA was the sort of guy who could have blown a fuse in a parking lot, or a shopping mall, perhaps a line-up at an airport....he's a mad dog that should be put down...to kill a man with your bare hands?...he needs 500cc's of liquid death.