Witnesses who watched Massachusetts hockey dad fight give varying accounts of struggle

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Posted 8:13AM on Tuesday, January 8, 2002

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - Witnesses testifying in the manslaughter trial of a hockey dad accused of killing another father told slightly different versions of what happened after the men argued over rough play at their sons' hockey practice. Thomas Junta, 44, is accused of pummeling Michael Costin to death during a fight on July 5, 2000. Costin, 40, never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead the next day. Junta said he was defending himself. But prosecutors say Junta, a 270-pound truck driver, used his size to overpower the 160-pound Costin, then pounded his head on the floor until he lost consciousness. The witnesses who testified Monday agreed that the two men initially scuffled briefly and then later had a second, more violent fight. Their testimony differed on exactly what happened in the second fight. Ryan Carr, 21, a hockey player who was practicing at the rink, said he saw Costin throw the first punch when Junta returned after the initial shoving match. He said Junta blocked the punch and overpowered Costin, pinning him to the floor. Carr said Costin was trying to throw punches, kicking and flailing. He said he saw Junta punch him three or four times. Costin then began shielding his head, and then "Mr. Junta pushed Mr. Costin's head into the mat." Carr's testimony appeared to support Junta's claim that Costin threw the first punch in the second fight, and that he threw only about three punches to Costin's head. Carr was scheduled to continue his testimony Tuesday. Rachel Labarge, a 12-year-old who was to take a figure skating lesson that day, was the first of several children expected to take the stand. She testified Monday that she saw the two men arguing and shoving each other. She said Junta started to leave the building after the shoving but turned around before going out the front door. She said Junta tackled Costin and threw him to the ice. "There were several punches to the face," Rachel said. "I saw about three ... He was pretty much straddled over Mr. Costin." Composed throughout her testimony, the girl did not waver when defense attorney Thomas Orlandi Jr. asked if she was sure of what she saw. Her testimony differed somewhat from that of other witnesses who said Junta went into the parking lot before returning to the building, rather than turning back at the front door. The trial has focused a national spotlight on the issue of parental violence at youth sports. Rink employee Nancy Blanchard described being shoved aside by Junta as he re-entered the arena after the first fight and set upon Costin. Blanchard said she saw Junta hit Costin at least six or seven times. Junta "put his left knee on Mr. Costin's left shoulder," Blanchard said, choking up as she spoke. "He had (Costin's) head in his left hand. He was punching Mr. Costin's head and neck repeatedly." "I think I remember screaming, 'You're going to kill him,"' she said.