The Bronx cabby who fatally beat his wife’s would-be rapist with a tire iron wasn’t just defending her, but his family, the man’s lawyer said Monday.

Mamadou Diallo, 57, made a brief court appearance in the death of Earl Nash, 43. After the proceedings, his attorney, Anthony Michaels, said the Guinea native was also trying to protect his sister-in-law, Lamarana Diallo, who was visiting from Africa.

“There’s one thing that’s been forgotten here,” Michaels said. “Two women are victims in this case. Two women were assaulted for over 20 minutes.”

Lamarana suffered bruises and contusions to her head and body as a result of the attack, Michaels said.