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CNN Saturday Morning News
Junta Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter
Aired January 12, 2002 - 08:01 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Sentencing is scheduled for January 25 in the hockey trial verdict. Thomas Junta was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for beating another man to death at their son's hockey practice.
As CNN's Bill Delaney reports, prosecutors and family members hope the conviction will stop other parents from getting into a deadly rage over what should be fun for kids.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What say you, is the defendant guilty or not guilty?
BILL DELANEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At the ultimate moment, the verdict in the manslaughter trial of Thomas Junta.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is the defendant guilty or not guilty?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On any theory, is he guilty or not guilty?
DELANEY: As Junta listened, his head lowered, excruciating moments.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is he guilty or not guilty?
DELANEY: The foreperson confused, finally saying "guilty."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As to involuntary manslaughter?
DELANEY: Yes, meaning the jury believed Thomas Junta meant to commit assault and battery on Michael Costin, but not to kill him, following a dispute over a children's pickup game of hockey. The man described by his attorney as a "gentle giant" then led off to jail, awaiting sentencing in two weeks, leaving behind distraught family of a man, a truck driver, one of 13 children and the father of two.
The Costin family pained, too, remembering a father of four after days crammed into a courtroom with the Junta family. Michael Costin's sister spoke, her mother at her side.
MARY BARBOUZI, MICHAEL COSTIN'S SISTER: Our family will never be complete again. Our family and Michael have paid the ultimate price. It is our sincere wishes that this tragedy serves as a reminder to all and that no other family has to experience the senseless pain that we have.
DELANEY: The defense, though, speaking on behalf of the Junta family, saying justice was not done.
THOMAS ORLANDI, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The family is obviously upset at the decision of the jury and they will join together as they have over the past 18 months to explore all options to free Thomas Junta.
DELANEY: The prosecution said the verdict was appropriate, but no one won.
MARTHA COAKLEY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Unfortunately tonight there are two sets of children who do not have parents at home. There is no joy, therefore, in this resolution.
DELANEY: Sentencing is set for January 25. Twenty years is possible. State guidelines for involuntary manslaughter recommend three to five.
(on camera): Whether merely a fight that got out of control, as the defense argued, or an act of brutal rage, as the prosecution alleged, what made this case resonate with so many, what started it all -- passions out of control over a game children played.
Bill Delaney, CNN, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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