Next step in missing camper killer Greg Lynn’s appeal bid
Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn will fight to appeal his conviction and sentence for the murder of a missing camper later this year.
High country killer Greg Lynn’s appeal is set to be heard in court at the end of October.
Found guilty at trial in 2024 of murdering 73-year-old Carol Clay, Lynn, aged 58, is expected to have his sentence and conviction appeal heard on October 31.
Lynn’s lawyers will argue the 32-year sentence - and 24-year non-parole period - were manifestly excessive.
His defence team will also argue he has suffered a “substantial miscarriage of justice”.
Ms Clay and her childhood sweetheart, 74-year-old Russell Hill, disappeared while camping in the Wonnangatta Valley, about 180km northeast of Melbourne, in March 2020.
In 2024, Lynn was found guilty by a jury of murdering Mrs Clay, who he shot in the head, and acquitted by the same jury of the murder of Mr Hill.
Lynn, a former Jetstar pilot, has maintained his innocence.
In a letter read to the court at sentencing, Lynn said: “Your Honour I am disappointed and perplexed by the jury’s verdict as I have not killed anyone and will be appealing”.
“Due to current community sentiment I understand my apology will likely be rejected by most. I don’t ask for forgiveness I’m simply sorry for what I have done.”
Lynn apologised for his “selfish and callous” efforts to burn Ms Clay’s and Mr Hill’s remains, saying he had reasons at the time.
In appeal, his lawyers will contest five key points in an attempt to overturn the conviction, or get a reduced sentence.
Documents filed by his lawyers show criticism of the Crown Prosecutor will be a central argument. Lynn’s lawyers will argue prosecutor Daniel Porceddu breached fairness rules by not putting key statements to Lynn while he was in the witness box.
Evidence from a police ballistics expert represented a “serious departure” from fair trial rules too, Lynn’s lawyers believe.
The last two grounds of appeal against Lynn’s conviction relate to how the jury reached its verdict, arguing they travelled down an “impermissible pathway” in their deliberations and that the verdict is “unsafe and satisfactory”.
Lynn will further argue his 32-year sentence — seven years above the standard sentence of 25 — is “manifestly excessive”.
“The long-term future of that guilty verdict must be seen as being in great doubt,” barrister Dermot Dann KC said at Lynn’s first court appearance following the split verdict.
In a related hearing in another court, Mr Dann also mentioned his view that media reports of unrelated matters involving Lynn may have “poisoned the well of justice”.
Mr Hill and Ms Clay went missing in March 2020. Lynn was questioned for four days and charged in November 2021.
Police only found Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s remains about two years after Lynn’s arrest.