Jury set to hear from experts in campers trial
Written by admin on May 23, 2024
The jury tasked with deciding the murder trial of former Jetstar captain Greg Lynn are set to hear from forensic officers, police investigators and a molecular biologist.
The 57-year-old will return before a jury of 14 in the Victorian Supreme Court on Thursday over allegations he murdered Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, more than four years ago.
The pair, childhood sweethearts who had rekindled a secret relationship later in life despite both being married, vanished while on a camping trip in the remote Wonnangatta Valley.
Prosecutors, led by Daniel Porceddu, allege Mr Lynn killed the pair with “murderous intent” in the evening of March 20, 2020, while the former pilot argues both died “tragic, accidental deaths”.
On Wednesday, the jury was told the prosecution planned to call six witnesses to give evidence on Thursday, including two police officers, a fire investigations scientist, a crime scene examiner and molecular biologist Dadna Hartman for “DNA analysis”.
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.
“It is alleged that during the evening of Friday, March 20, 2020 at Bucks Camp, the accused murdered Mr Hill and Mrs Clay,” Mr Porceddu told the jury last week.
“The precise circumstances of the killings are not known. Nor is the motivation.”
Mr Lynn, through his barrister Dermot Dann KC, has argued Ms Clay was shot in the head accidentally as the two men fought over Mr Lynn’s shotgun.
On his account, Mr Hill swiped the firearm after claiming Mr Lynn was deer hunting too close to camp, and later fell on his own knife after coming after the accused man following Ms Clay’s accidental death.
“There’s no dispute between the prosecution and defence that as a matter of fact and as a matter of law, on the account given by Mr Lynn in that record of interview, he is not guilty of murder and he is not guilty of manslaughter,” Mr Dann said in his opening remarks.
“The prosecution will have to disprove that beyond reasonable doubt.”
The trial continues.
