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Principals talk about 'hockey dad' case

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (CNN) -- A Massachusetts judge sentenced Thomas Junta, the so-called hockey dad, to six to 10 years in prison Friday for killing a fellow father at a hockey practice for their young sons.

Judge Charles Grabau, attorneys for the defense and prosecution and members of victim Michael Costin's family spoke before the judge announced the sentence.

Judge Charles Grabau:

"I find ... neither of the defense counsels' recommendations to be realistic or a just punishment under the circumstances of this case. I find ... the Commonwealth's recommendation to be lenient and most generous. I contemplated exceding the Commonwealth's sentence recommendation, but have decided not to. After consideration of the above factors, it is ordered that Thomas F. Junta serve a committed sentence of 6 to 10 years..."

Michael Costin Jr., victim's son:

"I want you to know what punishment that I hope you give to Thomas Junta for what he did to my dad. First, no matter how much of a sentence that you give to Thomas Junta, my dad got more, my dad will never be back to me, and to my family. Thomas Junta will be back to his family. If you give Thomas Junta an easy sentence, he may get out and do this again. Please teach Thomas Junta a lesson. Let the world know that a person can't do what Thomas Junta did to my dad, to my family and to me, for my brothers and my sister. We all want Thomas Junta to go to prison for as long as your honor can put him there. Please punish Thomas Junta and do not allow him too soon to get out of prison and ruin another family's life."

Brendan Costin, victim's son:

"My brothers, my sister and I will live with my grandmother now, and I miss dad so much, it's just indescribable. Now only in my dreams can I hear his voice, and do things that I once did. Daddy is one I loved so dearly, and it's just a shame that such a nice man like him had to leave this earth like he did."

Mary Barbuzzi, victim’s sister:

"What has been taken from us, is a kind brother, a devoted son, and most importantly, a loving father. What has been taken from my brother is life. Michael will not be present as his children grow, succeed, and live. He will not look on as Brendan, Michael and Sean become men. He will not walk his beautiful daughter Tara down the aisle on her wedding day. He will not be there to guide, support and love his children."

Thomas Orlandi Jr., defense attorney:

"He has no criminal record. He had no criminal intent. He was not found guilty of any intentional killing and is in no way a threat to society. He and his family also will suffer forever for the events that occurred in July 2000. This will always be part of their family history. They will have the scarlet letter on their name for the rest of their lives."

Sheila Calkins, prosecutor:

"The Commonwealth's recommendation, your honor, is based on the fact that this man overreacted in a situation where -- instead of acting like an adult -- he overreacted in where he could have stopped. Over and over again, he didn't. He did this, your honor, in front of children -- his child and the Costin children and other children that were at the rink, a place where the children should have been able to feel safe and not witness an act of violence as they did."

Joan Costin, victim’s mother:

"I don't have even a paper because there's no words that I can tell you about the loss we feel. He was their ray of hope. They did not have an easy childhood, so he meant everything to them, and he tried to be everything to them. He took every course that he could take for his shyness, even went through a study at the Boston University, so he could help them, because he was so shy. He was a very quiet, shy man. I read the papers and they say what a violent man this man is. He was not a violent man."



 
 
 
 



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