code: public boolean selectFeature(Feature feature) {
  		if (!selectedFeatures.containsKey(feature.getId())) {
  			// make sure we get the layer's instance (if we can find it) !
  			Feature layerFeature = getFeatureStore().getPartialFeature(feature.getId());
  			if (null != layerFeature) {
  				selectedFeatures.put(layerFeature.getId(), layerFeature);
  				handlerManager.fireEvent(new FeatureSelectedEvent(layerFeature));
  			} else {
  				selectedFeatures.put(feature.getId(), feature);
  				handlerManager.fireEvent(new FeatureSelectedEvent(feature));
  			}
  			return true;
  		} else {
  			return false;
  		}
  	}
docs: Select a feature: set the feature's selected state and add it to the layer's selection.
  
  @param feature
  The feature that is to be selected.
  @return true when the feature was deselected