ALFRED — Superior Court Justice Roland Cole denied bail on Wednesday for Rory C. Holland, 55, of Biddeford, who is charged with two counts of murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Cole said he was satisfied that the Maine Attorney General’s Office met its burden to show there was probable cause that Holland committed a capital offense. Holland was returned to Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn.

When announcing his decision, Cole said he believes Holland poses a risk to the community and has threatened others in the past with the use of deadly force.

Holland is charged with the shooting deaths of Biddeford brothers Derek Greene, 21, and Gage Greene, 19, in the early morning hours of June 30.

Wearing a white dress shirt, yellow tie and black pants, Holland arrived at the York County Superior Courthouse at approximately 9 a.m. He was humming when he walked into the court house.

Defense Attorney Amanda Doherty, with the law firm Strike, Goodwin & O’Brien of Portland called three witnesses during the hearing. She attempted to paint a picture of Holland’s actions on June 30 as a combination of a reckless reflex action, when reaching for the gun after being pushed by Gage Greene, and being afraid for his life when Derek Greene moved in Holland’s direction after his brother was shot.

Assistant Attorney General Lisa Marchese said it was not an act of self-defense.

She said there was no evidence that either of the brothers or the friends accompanying them on June 30 were in possession of firearms, and Holland intentionally and knowingly shot the two young men, she said.

When arguing that Holland be held without bail, Marchese said, “Rory Holland is the type of person who is very vindictive when involved in litigation.” She said one woman has left the state because of her fear of Holland.

According to court documents, an altercation in May between Derek Greene and Holland led up to the deadly events of June 30.

In the documents, witnesses stated that on May 12, Derek Greene said he had been touched in his crotch by Holland. Later that day he assaulted Holland and his friend, Elijah Copeland, made threats against Holland. Both were ordered to have no contact with Holland.

A witness on Thursday, Raymond “Tank” Moreau, said he witnessed the assault on Holland and that Biddeford Police officers who responded to the scene did not arrest Derek Greene until a superior officer arrived.

On the night of the fatal shootings, Derek Greene and Gage Greene, who reportedly had both consumed alcohol, were walking to Gage Greene’s home and passed by Holland’s house, according to witness accounts.

Holland was in front of his home at the time and Gage Greene confronted him and then pushed him, stated witnesses. In response, Holland removed a gun from his waistband and shot Gage Greene.

Derek Greene, who because of the order to have no contact with Holland was across the street, ran in the direction of his brother and Holland, according to witnesses. Then Holland also shot Derek Greene.

Moreau, who said he lives three doors down from Holland, came out of his home when he heard gunshots. He and another neighbor went to the victims, said Moreau.

Gage Greene was still breathing at that time and the neighbor tried to resuscitate him using CPR, said Moreau.

Moreau said Holland opened his door and he told Holland to go back inside. Moreau said Holland called him using a cell phone and said he was afraid the Biddeford Police who responded to the call would shoot him and he wanted Moreau to come in and bring him out of his home.

For approximately five hours, Holland stayed in his home that was surrounded by police officers including members of a tri-community SWAT team.

At approximately 6 a.m., after the police threw handcuffs into Holland’s window, he walked handcuffed and backward out of his home and surrendered peacefully to police.

Doherty said Holland shot Gage Greene as a reflex reaction to being pushed by the victim.

She said the shootings were an act of self-defense.

“Mr. Holland was in fear of Derek Greene, and Mr. Holland was in fear of Gage Greene,” said Doherty.

After denying bail, defense attorney Clifford Strike said his firm will be filing a motion for a change of venue for the trial.

After the court proceeding, Strike said, “I don’t think anyone was surprised by the outcome.”

Holland traveled to the court proceeding from the Androscoggin Jail in Auburn. He was transferred there from the York County Jail in Alfred approximately two weeks ago, said York County Sheriff Maurice Ouellette.

The move was made, said Ouellette, because of safety concerns. A significant portion of the Alfred inmates are from Biddeford, said Ouellette. He said the decision was made to move Holland to Auburn after “we heard information that there might be an issue with Holland and the people from Biddeford.”

Tammy Cole, the mother of the victims, said she was relieved Holland was being held without bail.

“He’s not on the street for someone else to get hurt,” she said. “That’s all I care about.”

“He took my life,” said Cole, referring to her sons. “He should be behind bars.”

Cole and friends and family of the victims met at the Christ Episcopal Church after the hearing to comfort one another.

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