Top moments from the shocking first week of missing campers’ trial
From allegations of a deadly fight caused over a drone to revelations Russell Hill backed out of a pact to leave his wife, here’s what we learnt from the first week of the missing campers’ trial.
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The trial of accused High Country killer Greg Lynn got underway in Victoria’s Supreme Court this week.
The former Jetstar captain, 57, has pleaded not guilty to the murders of retirees Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, who vanished during a camping trip to the Wonnangatta Valley in the state’s alpine region in March 2020.
Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu and defence barrister Dermot Dann KC gave their opening addresses on Tuesday before evidence began.
Fifteen witnesses have now given evidence but more than 100 could be called during the trial, which is expected to run for between four and six weeks.
Here are the top moments so far.
Argument over a drone
In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu told the jury Mr Lynn murdered Mr Hill and Mrs Clay on the evening of March 20, 2020, probably after an argument over Mr Hill’s drone.
He said it was likely Mr Hill was killed first because Mrs Clay was “unlikely to have provoked a confrontation or posed any threat”.
Mr Porceddu said it was unknown how Mr Hill was killed but it was alleged Mrs Clay was shot in the head.
Mr Lynn claims both deaths were accidental
Defence lawyer Dermot Dann KC told the court: “This is a case of two accidental tragic deaths”, alleging Mrs Clay was accidentally shot in the head when the two men wrestled over a shotgun.
Mr Lynn claims the deadly confrontation was sparked after Mr Hill took Mr Lynn’s firearm from his car and threatened to take it to police because he had filmed the ex-pilot on his drone hunting close to the campsite.
Enraged by Mrs Clay’s death, Mr Hill then allegedly came at Mr Lynn with a knife before the elderly camper was accidentally stabbed in the chest and died during a struggle.
Couple’s bodies dumped
Mr Lynn admitted destroying evidence, bundling their bodies in his trailer and dumping them in remote bushland before returning eight months later where he set fire to their remains.
Mr Dann said his client made a “terrible choice” but he feared his life would be “screwed” after the couple’s accidental deaths.
Mr Hill and Mrs Clay’s pact
Mr Hill and Mrs Clay were high school sweethearts who rekindled their relationship in secret in 2006.
Mr Hill’s long-time friend, Robin Ashlin, on Friday told the court the pair had at one point planned to leave each other’s respective spouses so they could be together.
But he said Mr Hill backed out of the agreement after Mrs Clay had already divorced her husband.
Mrs Clay’s daughter concerned affair would be exposed
Emma Davies, the daughter of Carol Clay, was the first family member to give evidence.
On Wednesday, she told the court Sale Police contacted her in the days after the couple’s disappearance, asking if she knew where her mother was and if they could issue a media release about her and Mr Hill’s disappearance.
“I indicated to (the officer) that Russell was married and so I was concerned about the media release going out and showing them camping together,” she said.
“Grumpy fella” seen in the Wonnangatta Valley
Weed sprayer Robert Williams told the court a “grumpy fella” — believed to be missing camper Mr Hill — sped past him in the Wonnangatta Valley the day he was allegedly murdered.
Mr Williams said he had been working in the area with two other men for a number of days, and most people they came across would stop and speak with them.
“Just the way he accelerated past … like he was on a mission, it was very unusual,” he said.
Hunter met Mr Hill in the days before he was allegedly murdered
Deer hunter Chris Benton said he spoke with Mr Hill, who was on a separate camping trip the week before his death, at King Billy campsite near Mount Buller.
Mr Benton said Mr Hill was friendly and approachable but also recalled an incident where he informed the elderly camper that he was not supposed to use snow gums as firewood.
Under cross-examination from Mr Lynn’s barrister, Mr Benton agreed Mr Hill’s response was: “I don’t give a f--k.”
Listening devices secretly record Mr Lynn
In November 2021, Lynn was allegedly recorded speaking to his wife while watching a 60 Minutes episode about the missing campers.
The court heard he told his wife he was in the area where the pair went missing for only four hours and how it was “not funny”.
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