The deadly shooting incident involving domestic violence that happened Friday comes one day after another case was dismissed against State Assemblywoman Francis Allen -- who was accused of stabbing her newlywed husband.

The victim didn't die -- but the case captured headlines because Allen is an elected official. The case against Allen was dismissed after the alleged victim -- her husband -- took the stand in the preliminary hearing and recanted his previous statements.

And while it's rare for a man to be a victim of domestic violence --- advocates say it's not unusual at all for victims to change their minds about testifying against their abusers.

It didn't matter that the arrest report reads the alleged victim -- Paul Maineri -- told police his wife stabbed him with a steak knife during an argument. And it didn't matter that Maineri also told the emergency doctor who stitched him up what happened.

"He did tell me his wife stabbed him," said Dr. Randall Miller.

When Paul Maineri took the stand Thursday in his wife's preliminary hearing, he changed his story completely. "I grabbed a knife and jabbed it through my arm," he said.

"So, you stabbed yourself with a knife?" asked the prosecutor.

Maineri: "Yes."

And with that, the judge threw out the felony charge of domestic violence battery with the use of a deadly weapon against State Assemblywoman Francis Allen.

"Recanting is a huge problem," said Maria Outcalt, a domestic violence advocate.

This domestic violence advocate doesn't know why Maineri changed his mind -- but Outcalt says most victims recant out of fear.

"Because they feel their life is in danger or their children's lives may be in danger. After all, who will protect them after they say it -- so I understand their situation," said Outcalt.

The Francis Allen case generated more headlines than usual because the accused was an elected official who had been married less than two months and the alleged victim is a man.

"That's very rare," said Outcalt. Ten percent of all domestic abuse victims are men -- who according to Outcalt are more likely to keep quiet or leave an abusive relationship rather than prosecute because of embarrassment or shame. "Which is a sad situation," she said.

Advocates view the Francis Allen case as an opportunity to educate the public and urge anyone involved or even aware of an abusive relationship to seek help before it's too late.

"Services are available to you even while you're still in the relationship. Just take steps to make sure everyone is safe -- that the victim, the batterer and the children are safe!" said Outcalt.

Email your comments to Reporter Alyson McCarthy.