Hockey death trial hears son testify

Quinlan Junta said he begged his father to stop

The 12-year-old son of a man accused of beating another parent to death in an argument at a children's ice hockey practice has told an American court that his father repeatedly punched the victim.

The Massachusetts jury heard Quinlan Junta testify in the manslaughter trial of his 44-year-old father, truck driver Thomas Junta, who prosecutors claim caused the death of fellow "hockey dad" Michael Costin.

He said he saw his father hit Costin three times "really quick" during a violent confrontation.

My dad hit him three times really quick

Quinlan Junta

The pair had been arguing over tactics in a practice game in which Mr Junta's son was taking part.

Costin then slumped to the floor unconscious and died the next day in hospital.

"I saw my dad and then I saw Mr Costin on his back, I saw him flip (Costin) over his shoulders," he said.

"He was trying to punch and kick him, my dad, to get him off. My dad hit him three times really quick."

He also told the court that he had shouted at his father to stop hitting the victim.

Mr Junta, who weighed 100lbs more than the victim, claims he acted in self defence. If convicted he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Scuffle

The incident occurred after an argument began when several children at the skating rink were playing roughly at what was supposed to be a "non-contact" practice.

Witness Ryan Carr demonstrated to the court what he thought happened in the fight

Quinlan Junta said that when older players allegedly began hitting younger team members, including his son, Mr Junta told Costin to control the children.

Later, after Quinlan was elbowed by another older player as he left the rink, Costin and Mr Junta began arguing by the locker room.

The two men scuffled briefly, then later a more violent fight reportedly broke out as workers and bystanders tried to intervene, some screaming at the pair to stop.

Accounts differ

Witnesses' accounts of the fights have differed in the courtroom. Ryan Carr, 21, described Mr Junta as halting the blows when Costin appeared to act in a defensive manner.

I remember thinking at the time, he's either going to kill this man or he's going to have brain damage

Witness Virginia Brings

However an employee of the skating rink, Nancy Blanchard, said that she saw Mr Junta hit Costin at least six times.

"I remember screaming, 'You're going to kill him'," she said.

Another witness, Virginia Brings, said she had shouted at Mr Junta to stop hitting Costin after she says he appeared to stop responding.

"I remember thinking at the time, he's either going to kill this man or he's going to have brain damage."

The trial is expected to last several more days.