Isn't it funny that comparisons of hetero vs. homo, christian like ideals and out of control parents are being brought to the forefront .... yet facts like the fact that Michael Costin had 3 prior convictions for assault, somehow get missed. Why was a felon, with 3 previous convictions for assault put in charge, as a hockey coach of a children's hockey team? The fact he is dead, does not change the fact that he threw the first punch, and had a history of other assaults. Instead, it's become a hodge-podge of 'ya know, Jesus wouldn't have hit back', or 'Gay men always get beat up', or 'Golly, parents sure do over-react at games'.
Pal: Suspect in beating known to have a short fuse - Junta's Violent Past
While Thomas Junta was hailed as "a great father" by many of his Reading neighbors, a Charlestown friend of 25 years said Junta has always had a short fuse. "He just loses his temper when someone mouths off. He's been in a few fights," said a fellow member of the Knights of Columbus in Charlestown, who spoke on condition of anonymity yesterday. The man said Junta, 42, is well-known for his aggression, but has never done anything as serious as what prosecutors charge he did last week when he allegedly beat Michael Costin, 40, until he was brain dead. Junta, a 13-year truck driver at US Foods in Everett, was freed yesterday on $ 5,000 bail after his arraignment. While Junta has no record, he was charged in 1992 with assault and battery on a police officer and malicious destruction of property. The case was continued without a finding. In 1985, he was one of several men questioned by police in the still-unsolved murder of his wife's brother, Robert "Booboo" Barrett, who was shot to death inside the former Celtic Tavern in Charlestown. "He's my brother-in-law. I did support him," said Susan Barrett, sister of Junta's wife, Michelle, and Robert Barrett. Born in November 1957, Junta is one of 12 siblings who grew up in Charlestown. Junta's longtime friend said his temper was bound to get him in trouble. "He knew what he was doing," the man said. "I'm sure he's sorry for what he did, but now it's too late."
The fact he is dead, does not change the fact that he threw the first punch,
On whose testimony are you relying that Costin threw the first punch ?
In the doorway of the locker room used by Junta's son and his friends, Junta said, he warned the boys in a loud voice, ''I told them if they were going to play like that they were going to have to defend themselves,'' Junta testified. He said Costin, who was approaching an adjacent locker room, said, ''That's hockey.'' ''I took three steps [toward him] and said, `No, it isn't. These kids are going to get hurt,''' Junta testified. As he started to reenter the locker room, Junta said, he turned back to see Costin still standing there. There was more arguing, and Costin, a couple of inches taller than Junta because he was still in skates, puffed out his chest and leaned into him, Junta said. ''We kind of grabbed each other around the shoulder area,'' he said. ''He was more angry than he should have been.'' . Even by Junta's own testimony, Junta made the first move, neither one backed down and they engaged.