HONOLULU -- Two men went on trial Wednesday for a triple-shooting at Pali golf course five years ago.

The shooting killed two men and wounded a third.

Prosecutors said defendants Rodney Joseph Jr. and Ethan Motta were hoping to expand their business protecting illegal casinos.

Joseph's attorney said witnesses won't be able to identify him as a shooter.

Motta's attorney said the government cannot even prove the men were acting as part of a criminal organization.

Motta's mother said investigators abused their power.

"We must demand that we will stand behind every constitutional right that is offered to every human being here … not only here, but here in the United States. We are Americans. We are the land of the free," said Mokihana Motta.

Mrs. Motta said Carnesi, who once represented Mafia leader John Gotti, is charging the Motta family much less than his usual fee and denied Motta's defense is being subsidized by organized crime.

The federal trial is expected to take several weeks. The men face life without parole if convicted.