Behind the Daniel Pelosi Murder Case

He has no doubt that Pelosi's testimony led to his conviction. Jurors have said they felt Pelosi came off as a lothario and a con man, and that there were gaps in his story.

"Danny Pelosi swears that he did not commit this murder," Shargel said. "That he was not involved in this murder and if he's right, this is some tragedy."

'My Little Guy'

Pelosi himself realized that he didn't do himself any favors. Immediately after he testified, he called his lawyers and said, "I was so tongue-twisted and I was so freakin' scared up there and nervous," according to a conversation documented by "Primetime" producers.

He told his lawyers, "I told you guys if I get up there and tell the truth, how the hell can they convict me?"

Shargel replied, "You were very, very good. One of the very strong points of your testimony is when you explained the rift with your dad and how he treated your mother."

At the time, Pelosi seemed to have forgiven his father for his testimony. "He's a confused old man. I got nothing against him ... because he's still my father," Pelosi said.

He may have been in a generous mood because he thought he would be free. "I know everybody questioned me when I said let me do it," he told his lawyers in the conversation. "Let me tell the truth, bro ... I'll be home for Christmas."

Today, as Pelosi faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison, his father is the one who is forgiving.

"I always see him as my little pal," Robert Pelosi said. "If he did this thing, it's disgraceful and it's hateful ... but that's the Danny of today. I got a whole lot of love for him up until then. And I can't just forget about that. To me, he is still my little guy."