The man, who has no previous convictions and lived in Härnösand at the time of the murder, has admitted during questioning that he was at the crime scene - but he denies the crime.
He claims he came to the farm by chance after hearing screams. He says that two men left the scene when he arrived and that he dragged the murdered woman into a barn.
"I'll probably panic. And then I'll pull her into the barn and then I'll run away," he said during questioning.
The case eluded police and prosecutors for a long time. Over the years, hundreds of people were DNA-tested without success, but the turning point came last year after a new law that makes it possible to use DNA-based genealogy in murder investigations came into force. Police were then able to link the now-indicted man to DNA traces from the crime scene.
The police have not been able to establish a clear motive for the double murder. Inside the home, the man's wallet, which contained 10,000 kronor, was found untouched.
The trial is being held in Ångermanland District Court and will last four days.
