"I looked at a weaving, shaking, Dawn, still aiming at some unseen target, trembling as she said, 'I had to save you. I couldn't let him kill you, Tom. I love you!'

"Before Genero could react, I scrambled up and took my Smith & Wesson Model 19 from her. I aimed at Genero desperately crawling towards retrieving Molteri's gun. He stopped just inches short as I walked over and got that weapon. He huddled in fear from my retaliation.

"I tried to recover and take the time to find a solution to my predicament. If I reported this straight, Genoro's testimony would cast doubt on whether I knew of the...