Accused high country killer pleads not guilty as missing camper trial begins

Greg Lynn has pleaded not guilty to the murders of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay, as his highly anticipated trial begins in the Supreme Court.

Greg Lynn is accused of the murders of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

Accused high country killer Greg Lynn has pleaded not guilty to the murders of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay, as his highly anticipated trial began in the Supreme Court.

The former Jetstar pilot, 57, was charged with the murders of Mr Hill, 74, and Mrs Clay, 73, who vanished during a camping trip to the Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria’s alpine region in 2020.

Wearing a dark-coloured suit, Mr Lynn formally pleaded not guilty to the charges in front of a large jury panel on Thursday, before fourteen jurors — six women and eight men — were selected for his trial.

“Not guilty,” he said from the dock when asked for his plea to each charge.

Greg Lynn arrives at the Supreme Court on Thursday. Picture: AAP Image/Diego Fedele

Providing a brief overview of the matter, Justice Michael Croucher said it was the prosecution’s case that Mr Lynn murdered Mr Hill and Mrs Clay at Bucks Camp on March 20, 2020.

“It will be alleged Mr Lynn shot Ms Clay in the head, as a result killing her, and that Mr Lynn killed Mr Hill,” he said.

For the jury to find Mr Lynn guilty of murder, Justice Croucher said the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that he caused their deaths, that he did so consciously, voluntarily and deliberately, he did so with the intention to kill or cause serious injury and he was not acting in self-defence.

Justice Croucher said the jury would need to consider an alternate charge of manslaughter if they were to acquit Mr Lynn of murder, adding they must put aside any feelings of sympathy, prejudice or bias when undertaking their role as jurors.

Russell Hill. Picture: Victoria Police

Carol Clay. Picture: Victoria Police

Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu and defence barrister Dermot Dann KC will on Friday deliver their opening remarks, summarising their cases and the evidence they expect the jury will hear.

Evidence will begin on Monday, which will include witnesses who are called to give testimonies and exhibits, such as photographs or documents, tendered to the court.

More than 100 witnesses could be called to give evidence, including family of both Mr Lynn and his alleged victims, other campers, park rangers, forensic and weapons experts and police.

Once evidence is complete, the prosecution and defence will deliver their closing addresses summarising their cases.

Justice Croucher will then give his “charge” to the jury, which involves explaining legal issues and summarising arguments from both sides before the jury retires to consider its verdict.

Fourteen jurors were selected in case some were unable to continue with the trial for any reason such as illness, with two randomly selected jurors to be discharged if all remain at the end of the trial.

The trial is expected to run for at least four weeks.