A new trial got underway Monday for a Freeport man who is currently serving a life sentence in prison for murder.

As News 12 reported in June 2000, John Pierotti was convicted of first-degree murder for the shootings of Gerard Kennedy and Willis Frost. The murders happened in December 1998 outside of the Dragger Inn Bar in Baldwin.

Pierotti won his appeal because his hearing aid broke during his original trial. This time the judge had every microphone in the courtroom tested and asked Pierotti if he could hear everything.

In court, Pierotti's lawyer Donna Grossblatt said he acted in self-defense.

"I like him, he's a good guy," said Grossblatt. "I'm not going to talk about the logistics of the trial."

Family members of the victims say they're upset Pierotti was given another trial. They worry he could be found not guilty this time since witnesses from the original trial have passed way in the last 20 years.