Known as "Cowboy John" for his polite Texan manner and accent, Gillane was loving and always helped out his children, even if it meant supporting his daughter financially while he was living in his car, or paying his son's rent when Gillane himself faced eviction, his attorney Maizie Pusich said. Gillane told Reno police investigators that he only wanted to scare his managers and fight for injustices for his fellow employees as "an avenging angel" and martyr, Deputy District Attorney Elliott Sattler said.