Three big issues jury will have to weigh up in missing campers trial

Accused killer Greg Lynn says Russell Hill and Carol Clay were accidentally killed in separate struggles but the prosecution dispute this account. These are the key issues for the jury to consider.

The prosecution allege Greg Lynn murdered Carol Clay and Russell Hill.

According to Greg Lynn, Russell Hill and Carol Clay were accidentally killed in separate struggles involving a shotgun and knife after a dispute over the elderly camper’s drone.

He claims Mrs Clay was shot accidentally in the head as the men struggled over a shotgun, before Mr Hill was accidentally stabbed when he charged at the ex-pilot with a knife.

The prosecution dispute this account, alleging Mr Lynn murdered Mr Hill and then Mrs Clay, probably after an argument over Mr Hill’s drone.

They can’t say the motive or the precise circumstances of the murders, other than that Mrs Clay was “shot to the head”.

Greg Lynn claims the campers were accidentally killed in separate struggles. Court sketch: Paul Tyquin

These are some of the key issues the jury will have to consider:

The guy rope

Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu said there was a guy rope attached to Mr Hill’s LandCruiser that would have

been in the way as the men

struggled over the gun.

Defence barrister Dermot Dann KC said the rope was “insignificant” and only raised at the end of the trial, pointing out his client was never questioned by police about it.

The shotgun

According to Mr Lynn, Mr Hill confiscated the ex-pilot’s shotgun.

Greg Lynn's shotgun. Picture: Supplied

Mr Porceddu asked why Mr Hill would load the firearm if he was only confiscating it.

He also pointed out that, on Mr Lynn’s account, Mr Hill left Mr Lynn’s rifle.

“Don’t you think you’d make sure he wasn’t left with another gun?” he said, noting the two had been hostile to each other.

Covering up the deaths

Russell Hill and Carol Clay's campsite was burnt by Mr Lynn. Picture: Supplied/ Supreme Court of Victoria

Mr Porceddu said the “only explanation” for why Mr Lynn burnt the pair’s campsite, dumped their bodies and later returned to burn their remains was that he had murdered them.

Mr Dann said his client had told police he feared he would be blamed for their deaths.

“He was 100 per cent correct,” he said.

“He is being wrongly blamed.”