New photos of couple’s burnt camp: court

New pictures of Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s burnt campsite have been shown to a jury as their accused killer Greg Lynn argues the deaths were accidental.

Mr Lynn is facing trial in Victoria’s Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to killing the elderly couple while camping in the state’s remote High Country in March 2020.

Prosecutors allege he murdered the pair, likely following a dispute with Mr Hill, while the former Jetstar captain argues the pair died accidentally after Mr Hill swiped his gun in the evening of March 20.

Last week, the jury was told Mr Lynn did not dispute burning their campsite and removing their bodies from the scene.

He also admitted to disposing of the remains in bushland along the Union Spur track near Dargo, returning in November the same year to burn the bodies.

Prosecutors, led by Daniel Porceddu, argued his actions were an “implied admission” of guilt, while his barrister, Dermot Dann KC, said his client had made a “series of terrible choices” fearing he would be wrongly blamed.

On Wednesday, forensic officer George Xydias gave evidence he was asked by police to examine the charred remains of Mr Hill and Mrs Clay’s camp on April 1, 2020.

He said part of his job was to look for “things that could potentially cause ignition”.

In his opinion, the jury was told, a single fire began in the tent near where two gas bottles were located.

Burnt items including a camping stove, clothing, bedding, gas bottles, a solar panel and a car mirror were identified within the tent.

Mr Xydias agreed there Mr Lynn’s account of placing their camping equipment in the body of the tent before setting it ablaze with petrol was “consistent” with the evidence.

Prosecutors allege Mr Hill was killed first, likely after a dispute with Mr Lynn over the former’s drone, and Ms Clay was shot dead second as a witness.

They suggested neither posed any threat to Mr Lynn.

Through his barrister, Mr Lynn has claimed Mrs Clay was accidentally killed first as the two men wrestled over his gun.

On his account, Mr Hill died after approaching Mr Lynn with a knife, falling on it accidentally as they fought a second time.

The trial before Justice Michael Croucher will resume on Friday.