ALFRED — A Biddeford man, charged with murder in connection with an early morning shooting on Tuesday, made his first court appearance in York County Superior Court in Alfred today.

Rory Holland, 55, is charged with two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of two brothers, Gage Greene, 19, and Derek Greene, 21, both from Biddeford, in front of his home at 58 South St.

In court this morning, Holland wore a dark suit and spoke only to say that he would like to be represented by attorney Thomas Connolly, who is representing him in another case. In the meantime, attorney Clifford Strike was appointed as Holland’s counsel.

Holland is being held without bail at York County Jail. No plea was made today and a hearing was set for Wednesday, July 8, at 8:30 a.m.

About a dozen people were in court for Holland’s first appearance today, though none were close friends or relatives of his or of the Greene brothers.

In remembrance of the two shooting victims, friends of the brothers held a candlelight vigil on Tuesday evening.

Dana Foster, who said Derek Greene lived with him, said Greene was an artist and described him as a “good kid.”

Gage Greene lived nearby and was at his home often, said Foster. Gage was a hard worker, said Foster, and the two brothers worked together repairing mobile homes.

Many who knew the victims said they were still shocked by the brothers’ deaths.

“I was waiting to wake up and find it was a dream,” said Shawn Andrews, who said he was a friend of the brothers.

Both had some brushes with the law in Biddeford. The men had been charged with burglary of a motor vehicle.

Friends of the brothers said they believed that ongoing tension between Derek Greene and Holland led up to the shootings. On May 12, according to a friend of the brothers, Greene hit Holland after Holland allegedly touched his genitals.

The friend, Elijah Copeland, said Greene then left the area. Copeland said he accompanied Derek Greene when he returned to the area. Greene then hit Holland again, Copeland said.

As a result of the incident, police arrested Greene and charged him with assault. He was also ordered to stay away from Holland’s home and workplace.

Copeland was charged the same day with criminal threatening, with a similar order to avoid Holland.

Since the police are still investigating the shootings, they have not released many details about what occurred the night the brothers were shot to death. According to Biddeford Police, the call reporting the shootings took place shortly after 1 a.m.

Copeland said he came out of a nearby apartment after he heard the first shot. At that point, Gage Greene had been shot and was on the ground, he said.

Copeland said he then saw Holland shoot Derek Greene, who was crossing the street in front of Holland’s home.

After seeing the shooting, “I just blacked out,” said Copeland, “it was such a shock.”

According to accounts from other witnesses, after he shot the two men, Holland went into his home. He remained in his home in a stand-off with police for approximately five hours. The Tri-community SWAT team, made up of officers from Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard, surrounded his home.

During the stand-off, several members of the public gathered outside Holland’s home, shouting for him to come out, said Mayor Joanne Twomey. She said she arrived at the scene shortly after the shootings.

Dressed in a suit, Holland walked out of his home at 6 a.m.

One witness said Holland had a smile on his face.

Holland was then arrested by Biddeford Police and taken to the city’s police department for questioning, said Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.

Several hours later, Holland was brought to the York County Jail in Alfred.

Meanwhile, the Greene brothers were brought to Southern Maine Medical Center where they were pronounced dead. McCausland said the state medical examiner will conduct an autopsy on the two bodies.

During the day on Tuesday, a mix of neighbors, friends of the deceased, and curious onlookers, watched as Biddeford Police officers worked within the taped-off crime scene while investigating the murders.

“We’re not really surprised,” said David Dourque, who owns a building and business in the neighborhood of the shooting. “This guy (Holland) has been looking for trouble for a long time.”

Many who know him described Holland as a troubled man, who took pleasure in intimidating others. They also described him as extremely intelligent and said he has often evaded prosecution and conviction of past criminal charges.

Holland has a long history dealing with courts in and out of the state, in civil cases, both as a plaintiff and a defendant, and in criminal cases as a victim and a suspect.

His criminal history dates back at least 30 years ago when he was convicted of attempting to kill his 16-month-old daughter in Kansas. Holland served just two years of a 50-year sentence for that conviction.

In Biddeford, his history with the judicial system goes back at least to the 1990s. Holland, who ran for mayor in Biddeford, sued the city in 2003, claiming harassment. He eventually lost that case.

He also was involved in a case against a man who he claimed terrorized him using racial slurs.

Kristie Anderson said that 12 years ago, Holland kidnapped her and her son, who was a one-year-old infant at the time, and he forced them into his home at gunpoint.

Holland threatened to kill her and her son, said Anderson.

Charges were filed, but Holland was never prosecuted, she said, because police could not find a gun in his home.

“If they had done what they should have done a long time ago, these two kids would still be alive,” said Anderson.

She said she was so frightened of Holland, she moved to Bangor.

Twomey said she blames the court system for the situation.

“He has terrorized this city,” said Twomey, in her office on Tuesday. “This man has a long rap sheet. Many, many charges have been brought against him but the court system failed.”

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.