Vinny's father was somewhat abusive but not as bad as they are making him out to be. He wasn't an alcoholic and he didn't beat him with a baseball bat. He didn't have to go to his aunts house to heal from the bruises. IT is true that he did protect his mother many times from being abuse by the father. Although it may sound meaningless why the lawyers feel the need to bring this up but to them it is important that they do so.