Murder trial for Jetstar pilot over ‘missing campers’ case set to begin
By Erin Pearson
The trial of former Jetstar pilot Gregory Lynn over the alleged murders of two campers is expected to begin in the Supreme Court on Friday.
Lynn, 57, entered not guilty pleas to two counts of murder over the deaths of Russell Hill and Carol Clay as a 14-person jury — eight men and six women — were selected in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Thursday.
Greg Lynn.Credit: Diego Fedele
Justice Michael Croucher said Lynn stood accused of killing retirees Hill, 74, and Clay, 73, in the state’s Alpine region in March 2020.
He said it was alleged Hill and Clay had been camping at Bucks Camp, in the Wonnangatta Valley, when Lynn is accused of shooting Clay to the head, killing her, and killing Hill.
In directions to the jury, Croucher said that to convict Lynn, the prosecution must prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, the highest standard of proof the state’s law required.
“It will be alleged that on March 20, 2020, Mr Lynn was camping at a campsite called Bucks Camp in the Wonnangatta Valley, which is in the Alpine region of Victoria,” Croucher said.
Russell Hill and Carol Clay.
“It’ll also be alleged that Mr Hill and Ms Clay were camping together, also at Bucks Camp at the same time.
“It will be alleged Mr Lynn shot Ms Clay in the head, as a result killing her, and that Mr Lynn killed Mr Hill.”
Those expected to give evidence include friends and family of Hill and Clay, other campers in the area, forensic experts and police.
The selected jurors will decide if Lynn is guilty or not guilty of two counts of murder.
Croucher reminded the jury they must dismiss any feelings of sympathy, prejudice or bias when undertaking their task.
“Such emotions of thoughts have no part to play in your decision. You … are the judges of the facts,” he said. “That means in relation to all the issues you’re called upon to consider in this case, you must act like judges.
“You must consider the evidence dispassionately and with an open mind. Your duty is to consider this case with your head and not your heart.”
Croucher also warned the jury they could face possible criminal charges if they conducted their own research into the case, including visiting the scene of the alleged crimes.
He said while a jury panel was typically made up of 12 members of the community, 14 had been selected in this trial in case any were unable to continue sitting at some point for reasons including illness.
The trial is expected to take somewhere between four and six weeks.
Up to 112 witnesses could be called.
A new podcast from 9News, The Age and 9Podcasts will follow the court case as it unfolds. The Missing Campers Trial is the first podcast to follow a jury trial in real time in Victoria. It’s presented by Nine reporter Penelope Liersch and Age reporter Erin Pearson.