New jury selected for missing campers murder trial after false start

The jury in the trial of accused high country killer Greg Lynn has been selected, after the first jury was discharged minutes before opening arguments were due to start.

Carol Clay and Russell Hill vanished during a camping trip to the Wonnangatta Valley in 2020.

The jury in the trial of accused high country killer Greg Lynn has been selected, after an issue derailed proceedings last week.

The former Jetstar captain, 57, pleaded not guilty to the murders of missing campers Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, as a 15-person jury — seven women and eight men — was empanelled in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday.

Providing a brief overview of the case, Justice Michael Croucher said it was the prosecution’s case that Mr Lynn murdered Mr Hill and Mrs Clay at a remote campground in the Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria’s alpine region in March 2020.

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

Greg Lynn has been accused of the double murder of campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill. Picture: Supplied

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 and with the intention to kill or cause serious injury, and that 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.

In his directions, the judge told the jury not to conduct independent research into the case — such as internet searches or visiting the alleged crime scene — warning they could face criminal charges if they did.

He also asked them to consider the evidence dispassionately and with an open mind.

“You must dismiss any feelings of sympathy or prejudice or bias you may have, whether it’s sympathy, prejudice or bias for or against the accused, the deceased persons, their families, their friends, anyone else,” he said.

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

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

Gregory Lynn’s barristers Michael McGrath and Dermot Dann KC arrive at the Supreme Court. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Crown Prosecutor Daniel Porceddu and Kathryn Hamill arriving at court. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

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.

The prosecution and defence will deliver their closing addresses summarising their cases after evidence is complete.

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.

Fifteen jurors were selected in case any are unable to continue for any reason, such as illness, with three to be randomly balloted off if all remain at the end of the trial.

It is the second time a jury has been empaneled for the high-profile case, after 14 jurors selected last week were discharged on Friday morning, moments before opening arguments were due to begin.

The trial is expected to run for four to six weeks.