HONOLULU -- Accused killer Ethan "Malu" Motta began his testimony Wednesday in the Pali Golf Course shooting that left two people dead in January 2004.

Lepo Taliese and Romelius Corpus Jr. were killed in the gunfire when rival groups performing security at the game rooms met at Pali Golf Course, prosecutors said. Tino Sao suffered a gunshot wound to his face. Nixon Maumalanga escaped the shooting unharmed.

Motta told the jury in federal court that he was not directly involved in gambling security and did not take money from gambling houses.

Motta said he heard that his cousin, co-defendant Rodney Joseph Jr., faced trouble from a gambling security faction.

Motta and Joseph could receive life in prison if convicted of using murder to promote a criminal enterprise.

He said he did not intend to shoot anyone on the day of the killings.

Taliese approached him holding a black bag, Motta said. He said that he did fire a gun that day, but only in self defense.

Motta finished his defense. The prosecution will cross examine him next.

KITV's Daryl Huff is in the courtroom and will file more updates to the trial as the testimony continues.