Convicted hockey dad's sentencing

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- He's been called a raging bully, the 270-pound truck driver who killed another hockey dad with his fists. But a gentler picture of Thomas Junta will likely emerge when his family testifies at his sentencing later this month.

Junta, 44, was convicted Friday of involuntary manslaughter in the July 5, 2000, beating death of Michael Costin.

His lawyer says Junta is a "gentle giant" who, after his son took an elbow in the face, confronted Costin for running a rough hockey practice.

The jury found Junta did not intend to kill Costin, but went too far during the fight at the Burbank Ice Arena in suburban Boston. He faces a maximum 20-year sentence, but guidelines recommend three to five years.

Juror Richard Rotberg said the jury thought Junta came off as a decent man during his testimony.