Michael Costin Jr., son of dead "Hockey Dad", beats his girlfriend

**Dakota Valkyrie** · May 20th, 2009, 09:25 AM

Michael Costin Jr. was still a child when he watched as his father was beaten to death at a Reading hockey rink almost nine years ago.

Michael Costin Sr. was killed during an argument with another hockey dad, Thomas Junta, in a case that made international headlines. It was cited as an example of out-of-control parents taking youth sports to an extreme.

But after the case was over and the attention faded away, Michael Costin Jr.'s life spiraled into drug and alcohol abuse and violence, court records show.

Yesterday, Costin, now 20, was sent to Middleton Jail for 18 months, after pleading guilty to beating up his 43-year-old girlfriend and stealing her car two days before Christmas.

Prosecutor Michelle DeCourcey said Salem police were called to an apartment on the afternoon of Dec. 23 by Costin's girlfriend, who said he had grabbed her by the throat, punched her in the face and told her, "You're going to die tonight."

Then he took her car keys and her car and left. A neighbor called police.

Costin has been held in custody since his arrest.

DeCourcey, who asked for a 21/2-year jail term, told the judge that while Costin is still young, he's already repeatedly failed on probation and needs to serve more time in jail.

"Quite simply, enough is enough," DeCourcey said.

It's not his first trip to jail, either. Costin has already served time for assaulting the same woman and has racked up a multipage record in the past three years.

Judge Richard Mori said Costin has received a lot of support, including requests for leniency from police officers familiar with his family history.

"I think he's been given a lot of consideration," said Mori, who has heard other cases involving Costin.

Costin's lawyer, James Craig, urged the judge to give his client another shot at probation, suggesting a brief jail term and then strict supervision by a probation officer. He even noted that the victim in the case has offered to take Costin back in when he is released, though he added that Costin no longer wants to be involved with the woman.

But the judge said Costin has failed to take part in programs offered by the probation department in some of his prior cases to help him deal with some of his issues, including a serious substance abuse problem and mental health problems that may stem from the death of his father.

"I'm really sorry about the thing with your father, but you've got to grow up," Mori told him. "It's got to stop. You just can't do this anymore."

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punew...139225524.html

Thomas Junta was sentenced in 2002 to six to 10 years in state prison for involuntary manslaughter in the beating death of Michael Costin Sr., 40, during a fight after a youth hockey practice. In April 2008, Junta was denied parole for the second time.

"I saw Thomas Junta beating my dad into the ground. For the rest of that day and for the next day, my heart was in my throat," said Michael Costin Jr. "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 ... we all want Thomas Junta to go to prison for as long as your honor can put him there."

On July 5, 2000, Junta -- a 6-foot-1, 270-pound truck driver -- fought twice with Costin, who was 6 feet tall and weighed 156 pounds.

The second fight proved fatal for Costin. The two men had argued over what Junta described as rough play during hockey drills that both men's sons were participating in at the Burbank Ice Arena in Reading, Massachusetts.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/2002/LAW/...ict/index.html

I wonder if his life would have been different if his father was alive. Would it have been the same, given that Coslin Sr. was also a brawler? Why doesn't Jr. see what violence has done and can do? Sad all the way around.

And WTF is up with his cougar? Take him back??

**runecire** · May 20th, 2009, 10:38 AM

It is sad to see the cycle of violence continue. I remember this story, and I remember hoping at that time that the boy would not let this tragedy rule his life. Sounds like he really needs to get his life straightened out, but its not going to happen if he doesn't want it to.

**Sister Iroz** · May 20th, 2009, 10:39 AM

"I'm really sorry about the thing with your father, but you've got to grow up," Mori told him. "It's got to stop. You just can't do this anymore."

I agree with this and I think his dad would too. The problem is here they have all been to lenient with him and it wasn't helping him it was making matters worse I feel. What he needs is a hard hand here hoping the harder it is for him the more it will make him want to wake up and grow up. He is young enough where it isn't to late. Plus, if I were his girlfriend I wouldn't take his ass back for anything walk away is the best thing for him. It's sorta like being an alcoholic they were all being enablers to him.

**Hellsbells** · October 24th, 2011, 09:31 AM

Son of 'Hockey Dad' Thomas Junta named 'person of interest' by police

READING (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - 21-year-old Quinlan Junta turned himself in to Reading Police this morning and was brought to District Court in Woburn to face criminal charges.

Quinlan Junta is the son of Thomas Junta who recently got out of prison for the beating death of a fellow hockey dad 11 years ago.

Police say Quinlan Junta and 20-year-old Jason Molle invaded a Reading apartment and pistol whipped and beat the resident robbing him of 800 dollars.

Both Quinlan Junta and his alleged co-conspirator Jason Molle were charged with armed robbery, home invasion, intimidation of a witness and assault and battery

Just six months ago Junta's father, Thomas was released after serving eight years in prison. In 2002, he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the beating death of Michael Costin.

In 2009, Michael Costin's son, Michael Costin Jr., was sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to beating his girlfriend and stealing her car.

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/...olice-20110207

**gee** · October 24th, 2011, 11:07 AM

Wow... Both kids are fucked up. This is what violence does.

**Robynne** · October 24th, 2011, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by gee

Wow... Both kids are fucked up. This is what violence does.

Or Hockey?

**gee** · October 25th, 2011, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Robynne

Or Hockey?

I don't believe Hockey breeds Violence or does football. Both are contact sports.
When you grow up and you see your father solving problems with violence then that is all you know. I know plenty of guys who grew up playing Hockey and Violence is not a part of their lives.

**Robynne** · October 25th, 2011, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by gee

I don't believe Hockey breeds Violence or does football. Both are contact sports.
When you grow up and you see your father solving problems with violence then that is all you know. I know plenty of guys who grew up playing Hockey and Violence is not a part of their lives.

I was kidding... I love hockey. I used to watch the Ducks play in Anaheim, played myself for a couple years when I was a kid. (Field hockey with friends, couldn't afford the ice rink) And who doesn't love the movie?