. >> reporter: part of the attack against don carmenani happened at this gas station in the marina.t fueled the debate about crime and homelessness in san francisco. friday's not guilty verdict came as a surprise to many in the community. first, there were several videos of a brutal attack that left don with a broken jaw, dozens of stitches, and a traumatic brain injury in april. witnesses is ed the attacker, a homeless man was a known and menacing presence in the marina. >> when i was running away, the impact in the back of my head went through my skull. >> reporter: i sat down with the former fire commissioner and long time resident in an exclusive interview after he was released from the hospital. >> i didn't go out there to fight anyone. i was just trying to get him down the road. it's three on one. i know odds. i'm 52 years old, i have two hip replacements, i'm an old guy. and i could have been a dead guy. >> reporter: then came a twist. defense attorneys released video showing a man they believe to be don using bear spray on a homeless person. >> they show me a person of inter