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CNN Live Event/Special

Prosecutors, Costin Family Comment on Junta Sentencing

Aired January 25, 2002 - 11:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: First of all, the prosecutors in the case of the Hockey Dad trial are speaking. Let's listen in.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm the first assistant district attorney in Middlesex County. Behind me is lead prosecutor Sheila Calkins, as you know, assistant district attorney Stephen Hoffman (ph) who was the second seat in the case, and Leon Lowney (ph), who was the victim witness advocate that worked this case.

I just want to make a brief statement, and then we'll take any questions that you may have, and then the family would like to come out and make a statement. Today Middlesex Superior Court Judge Grabau sentenced Thomas Junta to a term of six to ten years in state prison.

We're confident that in coming to this decision, and this sentence, that Judge Grabau considered all the facts presented by both the Commonwealth and the defense. We are also satisfied that this sentence is a fair and appropriate resolution to this case. The events of July 5th, 2000, have had dramatic impact on everyone in this case. Two families have been traumatized. Two sets of children have lost their fathers, and in the case of the Costin children, permanently.

This sentence today of six to ten years in state prison obviously will not bring Michael Costin back, but it does provide, I believe, a measure of justice to the Costin family, the Reading community, and the public at large.

That's it for the statement (ph). If you have any questions, we'll answer them.

QUESTION: He might have actually gone higher than six to ten. Have any of the Costins expressed any regret we -- you didn't ask for more?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Costins will come up and speak, so I'll let them address that. Clearly, the recommendation we made, we thought was an appropriate one. I believe the fact that Judge Grabau adopted it shows that he agreed with us. Yes?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he sentenced Thomas Junta.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, the message is for the public at large. I think Judge Grabau clearly limited his sentence to the facts of this case. In terms of what the public reads from it, that's their interpretation.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, it's not surprising. When ever someone receives a substantial state prison sentence, it is clear that most defense attorneys (ph) will file an appeal.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

SHEILA CALKINS, PROSECUTOR: There are certain things that the judge can consider. And, as the judge stated, he was able to consider the incident that occurred in 1991 between Mr. Junta and his wife, but the incident that occurred with the police officer was not a criminal conviction, and so that's the reason that the Commonwealth was unable to address that today, in court.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If there are no other questions, I think we'll bring the family out.

MARY BARBUZZI, MICHAEL COSTIN'S SISTER: Basically, we're here, we would like to thank everybody: The judge, the Middlesex DA's Office, the State Police Department, the Reading Police, the Livedale (ph) and Swanstick (ph) community, all our friends and family that have been with us for the last year and a half, and has -- have supported us and assisted us during this time.

We believe justice has been served, our prayers will be the Junta family, and our family will try to move beyond this tragedy.

Thank you.

KAGAN: A quick statement there from the Costin family. We also heard from prosecutors there, reacting to the sentencing early today of Thomas Junta.

The judge in the case sentenced him to six to ten years for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Costin. That death taking praise at a hockey rink in front of a number of children, including the sons of Michael Costin, Thomas Junta back in July of 2000. The judge making note that the crime did take place in front of children, and also taking note of a violent incident -- restraining order that was filed against Thomas Junta back in 1991, another violent incident that took place in front of his own kids.

So the judge coming with not completely the maximum, it could have been 20 years, yet far more than a first offender usually receives in this case. He gave the sentence exactly what the prosecution had asked for, six to ten years in state prison. The defense had asked that probation be issued in this case, and defense attorneys came out earlier, and let us know they do plan to appeal this sentence.

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