Road Rage Killing: Defendant Feared For His Life

feared for his life.

That's according to a police detective who testified Monday at a preliminary hearing for the of .

"I didn't want it to go down that way," Holbrook said in a report provided by Detective Marco Esquivel. "I didn't have any choice."

Holbrook, 42, and his attorney, Eric Schweitzer, have said the was done in self-defense.

, Ziesmer's girlfriend and the primary witness in the case, testified , saying that .

Esquivel provided details on his investigation after being questioned by Schweitzer and Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Connie Campbell.

The police department's investigation says Ziesmer, 48, suffered a cut to his left wrist and was stabbed in the left side of his chest and his back.

Esquivel described the knife as a push, punch or fist knife about 5 inches long. Officials previously described the weapon Holbrook used as being in a "T" shape.

The detective's report, which Schweitzer highlighted portions of in court, provides Holbrook's account of what happened.

Holbrook, married and a father of two, told Esquivel that while he was driving in Springtown, Ziesmer cut in front of him without using a signal. The two got into an argument and Ziesmer attempted to use the vehicle he was driving as a battering ram to hit Holbrook, according to Esquivel's report.

Monday's testimony also provided details of the 911 call Holbrook made shortly after he stabbed Ziesmer, who drove away to seek medical help at a hospital.

In recounting what he heard on the 911 tape of the call, Esquivel says Holbrook told an operator that someone tried to run him off the road three times. In addition, Holbrook told police that he decided to pull over at the parking lot on First Street because he feared others would get hurt if the incident continued in downtown.

When the two pulled over, Holbrook said he was "bum rushed" and struck by Ziesmer in the head shortly after he exited his truck.

Esquivel's recap of an interview with Holbrook is similar to what Schweitzer previously told Livermore Patch:

• Holbrook took a beating and was knocked to the ground;
• He got up and attempted to use his cell phone to take a picture of his attacker;
• An enraged Ziesmer rushed back at Holbrook, who then reached for a knife and stabbed him.

For further details on the .

Holbrook, who was dressed in a yellow inmate suit during his court appearance, kept his head down when his attorney and Esquivel reviewed details of the fight, which left Holbrook's face covered with cuts and bruises.

After the preliminary hearing, which likely will be finished Tuesday, the judge will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to hold a trial.