Buttafuoco Talks About Her "Thick Skull"

(CBS)  Seventeen years ago, Mary Jo Buttafuoco was shot in the head by Amy Fisher, the so-called "Long Island Lolita."

And now, she's released a book about her experience called "Getting It Through My Thick Skull". Buttafuoco joined "The Early Show" Wednesday, to discuss her book and what she's learned.

Buttafuoco, who stayed with her husband, Joey Buttafuoco, for 10 years after his mistress shot her, told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez she had a revelation after talking with her son two years ago. She said her son told her Joey was a sociopath.

Buttafuoco said the talk sparked an online search for the word's meaning.

"I went on the Internet and explored what that meant. When I looked at all of the traits, I said, 'Oh my God, this is what I've been with all of my life,'" she said. "It sent me on this journey to realize and understand sociopaths and how they affect people's lives."

Some of the traits, she said, also described her ex-husband as "charming," "extremely loveable," "smart" and "funny."

She said, "They can convince you that white is black is black and white and have you believe it."

Buttafuoco said Joey claimed he had nothing to do with Fisher's plans.
She added that he told her Fisher was just a crazy customer.

In hindsight, Buttafuoco told CBS News she believes Fisher and Joey were involved with each other.

"He swore up and down," she said. "(Sociopaths) have no remorse or sense of conscience. That's another trait. Because they don't, they can live with their lies."

Joey Buttafuoco released a statement, which Rodriguez referenced on "The Early Show."

Mary Jo Buttafuoco, in response to the news that her ex-husband released a statement, said "Oh goodie."

"He said he would prefer to be diagnosed as a sociopath by a doctor rather than by his ex-wife," Rodriguez said. "And he felt victimized by your accusation."

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