Witness Says She Tried to Prevent Fatal Beating
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A man accused of pummeling a fellow hockey dad to death shoved aside an assistant rink manager before the fatal beating began, the manager testified.
Thomas Junta, 42, is accused of beating Michael Costin to death after the two argued over rough play at their 10-year-old sons’ July 2000 hockey practice. Junta says he acted in self-defense.
Nancy Blanchard told the Middlesex County Superior Court jury she saw Junta and Costin, 40, scuffle briefly at the suburban Boston rink. She said Junta returned about a minute later and she told him he couldn’t enter the rink.
She said Junta pushed her against a wall. Junta then grabbed Costin by the collar and threw him to the floor, Blanchard testified.
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