Hockey Dad Found Guilty
Read the article from the link above and then answer the questions in the comment section of this blog. Please respond to at least one other post from your classmates.
1. Do you think that Thomas Junta intended to kill Michael Costin ? Explain?
2. Judge Charles Grabau sentenced Junta to incarceration for six to ten years. What do you think his punishment should be? Should the punishment change if he intended to kill him? Explain.
I don't believe that Junta intentionally killed Costin especially since there was children around. If he intentionally wanted to kill him, he would have made sure there wasn't any witnesses. One the other end, you would think Junta would realize he was seriously injuring Costin. Maybe in the heat of the moment with his endurance going he didn't know how much force he was using to punch Costin. I agree with the sentence of six to ten years because someone needs to be accountable for his actions. If Junta had the intention on killing Costin he should have a longer sentence because he could be a very dangerous people and could hurt others for a small disagreement. And if he had the intention and only got a small sentence he could believe her could get away with it again and again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jess to a point. I believe that there was no intensions of killing Costin, but since he did, he should be punished. However, I don't agree that he should have gotten a 6-10 years sentance, especially if Costin attacked first.
DeleteI agree with Jess, I don't believe that Junta had a plan or intention to kill Costin. I think this because he seemed to have felt bad in court for one thing, and because I feel that he got caught up in the moment of what was supposed to be self defense. He went too far, and he should have realized it before it was too late.I think the punishment is fair, but if it was proven that Junta had malice and forethought then the punishment should be much heavier. Having intent and malice is the definition of second degree murder, and therefore should have a different punishment.
ReplyDeleteJunta was not decided to kill Costin, but his self-defense was too over during this happen. Costin was much weaker than Junta, even if Costin tries to hurt Junta, he can defense himself very well. But end up of killing Costin was a wrong move. Also Junta should be stopped when the women were calling him to stop, and he should realize that he's making a seriously injury to Costin that's much over than a self-defense.
ReplyDeleteNo, Thomas Junta intended to kill Michael Costin. I'm more on Junta's side where he says he did it all for self defense. I don't know the exact story because I was not there but I think the story goes like this; these two men got in an argument, Costin threw the punches first, Junta retaliated by throwing a few punches, and those few pucnhes were enough to kill Costin. I think the punishment is a bit much, he should have gotten about 3-5 years. And yes the punishment should be changed if he intended to kill Costin, its a much more serious crime if the killing was on purpose but if its an accident he obviously didn't mean to do it and the punishment should be lowered.
ReplyDeleteI think Junta threw more than a few punches and the punishment should remain the same. Two of the witnesses said that Junta threw punches repeatedly at Costin while he was pinned on the floor. Only Junta himself and his son (who obviously is going to stand up for his father) said he through only three off-balance punches. I don't think Costin could defend himself when his was pinned down, and that was probably when the fatal blow occurred.
DeleteI don't believe Junta intended to kill Costin. I believe it was just a fight with a couple of angry punches to the wrong place, killing Costin. But, since someone had died, like one of the jurors said, someone has to be accountable for it. Junta did fight back wanting to harm the man, but since there were children around, intent of killing the father, is unlikely. I also believe that the punishment he recieved was a little legnthy. If Junta was proven of being attacked first, then killed the man, he should get 3-5 years. This is because the other man, Costin, did indeed die with no intent of killing Junta. If Junta did have the intent of killing Costin, then the 10 years should be the punishment.
ReplyDeleteI agree
Deletei agree with the sentencing of 3 to 5 years and being accountable for taking another life.
DeleteI don't think Junta intended to kill Costin. Junta testified that he only threw 3 off-balance punches. But many people said he punched Costin repeatedly on the ground. Junta probably didn't realize what he was doing at that point. As far as the punishment goes I think 6-10 years is fair. Maybe closer to six years, but he did kill someone and he shouldn't have gotten into a fight like that in the first place. Since he didn't intend to kill Costin I don't think he deserves the rest of his life in prison, or anything like that. I don't believe Junta will ever want to get into a fight again after this incident. But if he did intend to kill him he should spend the rest of his life in jail since he would still be a dangerous person who could just as well beat another person to death if he was mad at them.
ReplyDeleteI do not think Junta had the intent to kill Costin. When humans get angry they do not understand what they are doing and beating someone senseless can happen. It is unspeakable but does happen. When Junta said he threw only a few blows, that is ridiculous because after what Dr. Kessler said one punch can not do that even though but the defense doctor said it can. I believe Kessler. The amount of years for Junta is just right because it is obvious he did not do it on purpose but still killed a man and needs to serve time for it. If he intended to kill him then he should go for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI feel like he did deserve those years in jail because if it was in self defense he wouldn't be smashing the guys head on the floor and also he would of stop when the lady yelled your going to kill him. I feel like the guy saw a chance to take his anger out so he did
ReplyDeletewhether he wanted to kill or not well he still kill the guy smashing his head repeatedly, people were yelling stop soo he kept doing until he killed I think he deserves those years in jail with some real criminal like him
ReplyDeleteNO i do not think that junta intended for the fight to turn into a killing. only because he was hit first and of course he's going to respond with anger. one thing about the human body is it reacts in either fight or flight which gets your adrenaline running in this case it was fight for junta causing him to unknowingly l hit costin with the force that he did. I mean what parent would not get upset if their child was being hit when it was clearly non-contact hockey scrimmage.. then given the reply that costin gave back to junta thats already starting his anger then i guess punch might of been the last straw….i do believe believe he needs to pay the price of taking a lie even know he didnt know , people told him to stop warned him that he was going to kill him yet he kept going i mean 6 to 10 is a bit to much i would prefer atleast 3 to 5 years but then again we have no idea if he tried to seriously harm him and he may do it again who knows but atleast now he will think again.
ReplyDelete