BANGOR — Today marks the beginning of what attorneys are estimating will be a two-week trial for accused murderer Rory Holland. Holland, 56, of Biddeford, is charged with two counts of murder for the shooting deaths of Biddeford brothers Derek Greene, 21, and Gage Greene, 19, on June 30, 2009.

Jury selection took place on Oct. 18 at Penobscot County Superior Court in Bangor.

Presiding Justice Roland A. Cole granted a defense motion for a change of venue from the York County Superior Court in Alfred where previous proceedings on the case took place.

Defense attorneys argued that the case should be held outside of southern Maine because of the significant amount of media attention surrounding the murders, the trial, and Holland himself, who has been in and out of court on various charges.

Holland has pleaded not guilty to the murders.

In opening statements this morning, one of Holland’s attorneys, Amanda Doherty, of the Portland law firm Strike, Goodwin & O’Brien, said they do not dispute that Holland shot the Greenes, but said Holland feared for his life because of an altercation with Derek Greene that occurred in May.

Derek Greene’s previous altercation with Holland resulted in a restraining order requiring him to stay away from Holland.

According to court records and witness statements, the Greene brothers were on South Street heading home at around 1 a.m. on the morning they were killed.

Holland was in his driveway on South Street when the brothers were passing by. Because of the restraining order, Derek Greene was walking on the side of South Street opposite Holland’s home, stated witnesses.

Gage Greene was walking along the sidewalk on the same side as Holland’s home. When Gage Greene was near Holland, witnesses stated that he argued with and then pushed Holland.

Holland then pulled a handgun from the waistband of his trousers and shot Greene, witnesses stated. While attempting to go to his brother’s aid, Derek Greene was also shot by Holland, according to witnesses.

After the incident, Holland retreated to his home and engaged in a five-hour standoff with police. He finally surrendered at about 6 a.m. and walked out of his home, dressed in a suit.

The brothers were pronounced dead at Southern Maine Medical Center shortly after they were brought there by rescue crews.

Holland has been held without bail since his arrest.

He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole for each of the murders.

Holland is also facing a five-year jail sentence because of a related illegal gun possession charge.

Because of a previous attempted murder charge, Holland is prohibited from owning a firearm. In 1977, in Kansas, he was convicted of attempting to kill his 16-month-old daughter.

The defense successfully argued that the trial on the illegal gun possession charge should be held separately from the murder trial, so as not to create bias in the jury.

That trial has not been scheduled.

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