Hockey dad jailed for rink rage killing

Thomas Junta has been sentenced to a prison term of six to 10 years for beating a man to death in a Massachusetts hockey arena.

Junta was convicted earlier this month of involuntary manslaughter for killing Michael Costin after a game of pickup hockey in July 2000.

Judge Charles Grabau told the court that he considered the prosecution's request of a six- to10-year prison term too lenient, and considered a stiffer penalty. But he decided to accept the recommendations.

In explaining his decision, Grabau said he took into consideration Junta's violent history, which includes an incident in which he beat his wife in front of several children.

• FROM JAN. 11, 2002: Hockey dad convicted of involuntary manslaughter

The sentence exceeds the state sentencing guidelines, which recommend a term of three to five years for a first-time offender such as Junta.

Costin had been supervising a game of pickup hockey at the Burbank Ice Arena in suburban Boston that included his own and Junta's sons.

Junta complained that the game was too rough, and the two men fought.

The jury found that the 270-pound Junta didn't intend to kill Costin, who was 120 pounds lighter. But they said he went too far during the fight.