[wardaddy]

I'm 6'5" and 215 lbs. and have been thoroughly whipped by guys much smaller who overpowered me with speed and agility. All things being equal then size does help. I'm suprised that the history of assault charges and other criminal elements in the victim's past have not come to light till now. I can't say whether it's relevant or not but there seems to have been a concerted effort by the media to conceal this.

I would like to hear FReeper thoughts on these revelations in light of this tragedy.

[wardaddy]

This case is one of the rare times in which myself and my wife are in disagreement.

[sheik yerbouty]

The People's Republic of Massachusetts does not recognize self defense as a legal defense.

[toupsie]

I believe that self-defense is the ultimate right of every human being. If Junta was attacked and felt his safety was threatened, his actions were justified even though he killed the coach. I feel the justice system sides with the attacker too often in self defense cases. You lay one punch on me, I will fight till you can't do it again.

[ResignedRepub]

This is one of those rare cases where I don't know who to believe because it's too hard to see through the media smokescreen to the truth. We may never know.

[Alberta's Child]

If the defense was allowed to introduce the victim's medical and criminal records, it would only be fair to allow the prosecution to introduce the perpetrator's past, too. He's got a few criminal skeletons in his closet, too.

[Uglywhiteguy]

You stand back 2 arm lengths from someone to make it hard for them to hit you......I was always taught in Karate class that the idea in a fight was to hit the other person a few times to stun them, then to leave the area...

Killing or maiming someone was never discussed...You don't take someone's life over hockey practice

[stainlessbanner]

Junta had a confrontation with the other man, left the scene, and returned to"finish" the fight.

When I grew up, fighting was illegal. I don't feel sorry for this jerk one bit. Had he nor fought the man, he would not be facing a jury today. Bad judgement, Junta.

[Protagoras]

I'm suprised that the history of assault charges and other criminal elements in the victim's past have not come to light till now.

The news media have reported that both men have a legal history of violence and anger management problems. Assaults and the like. Both men.

During the trial, such information is inadmissable. It will come out in court during sentencing, if that occurs.

[07055]

He said he punched him quickly three times only after finding he couldn't wrest his wrist from the man's grip. When Costin held up his hand as if he had had enough, Junta stopped and stood up, Orlandi said. But Calkins scoffed at the defense's contention that Junta wasn't powerful enough to escape.

''Where's the injury on his left wrist from this death grip he was trying to get away from?'' she asked.

This evidence seems pretty significant to me.

Can anyone elaborate on it?

[Uglywhiteguy]

Be it an unborn life, or an adult one, they should all be sacred....I'm 6'3", 285, and work out..and most would have trouble putting me down, but I make a conscience effort to not throw my weight around and even put up with some who I could disable because all life is sacred.

And I have used my weapon in a war zone on more than one occasion...

[Swede Girl]

I tend to side with Junta on this. I think the press and Costin's lawyers are using his size against him and it is wrong. Once the facts really come out on this, I believe that Junta will be proven to be right that it was a form of self-defense. He was, after all, arguing against violence in the rink.

From what I have read and heard, Costin was an aggressive hot-head. He probably deserved a punch, but it is unfortunate that it went this far. Just my observations thus far....but my sympathies go more for Junta, regardless of the unfortunate death. My guess is that he will get a short prison sentence in the end.

[SamAdams76]

I'm 6'3 and about 260 pounds, close to Junta's size. This controversy over the size disparity between Junta and Costin is nonsense. If I got into a fistfight, I would much rather fight another big lumbering slob like myself than to fight some wiry 150-pounder who works out and keeps in shape.

Anyway, I believe the judge was wrong not to allow the information about Costin to come out. Knowing that Costin has had mental problems and also problems controlling his temper should be fair game. Junta's story (that he was cold-cocked by Costin) would be much more believable in this light.

As for Junta, the verdict should come out today. I do not believe this guy should do any serious jail time. He's never had any kind of criminal record before. He was provoked and he lost control. Obviously he has some responsibility here but he is not a murderer in my opinion.

I only had one serious fist-fight as an adult and during those 15 seconds that punches were thrown, I was hitting him as hard as I could and was trying to hurt him. Fifteen minutes afterwards, we were shaking hands and have been friendly ever since.

[jimkress]

It's not self defense when your 'assailant' is lying unconscious on the ice and you pick up his head and slam it down in the ice as hard as you can. That is what this 'gentle giant' did. That is why he should be convicted of voluntary manslaughter.

He should have been charged with, and convicted of, second degree murder.

[wardaddy]

Something besides a "best caliber" thread. Any thoughts?

[abandon]

Unless the dad knew of the other guy's history and acted the way he did in light of it, I don't think it's relevant when considering the level of force he used to counter whatever force was presented to him. I don't think the dad knew it.

With a few significant exceptions (like in your home), you generally have a duty to retreat and meet force only with like force.

I think.

[D-fendr]

It's the wiry ones you have to watch out for. But this big guy caught his opponet with his skates on and managed to kill him. I'd vote involuntary manslaughter.

[Space Wrangler]

From everything I've read about this case, it sounds to me like the victim got what he had begged for for years. I've known a dozen or more guys like the victim, and eventually, their mouth ends up writing a check that their a$$ can't cash. Sounds like Costin decided to rage against a guy who could back it up, and unfortunately, he lost his life. Sad, yes, but a situation of his own making. Of course this is Taxachussets, and Junta will probably be found guilty.

[js1138]

I understand there are several British soccer teams bidding for his services as a fan.

[connectthedots]

I think the worst case scenario is that this guy will be convicted on involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to a very short time in prison or maybe only probation.

While the judge may not have allowed the alleged victim's criminal and mental histories in as evidence during the guilt phase of the trial, they will most likely be allowed for the penalty phase.

[MARTIAL MONK]

Years ago, in college, I worked security for a store in a bad area. We had at least several fights a week. I would rather fight a guy 50 pounds heavier than me than one fifty pounds lighter. Big guys, because of their size, have a built in restraint. Little guys are conditioned to use every means at their disposal. Big guys will stand toe to toe, duke it out and let the best man win. Little guys will kill you. I have the knife scars to prove it.