By Tara Cosoleto, Aap
WHO WAS ON TRIAL?
* Greg Lynn, 57, who was a Jetstar pilot at the time of the deaths.
WHAT WAS HE ACCUSED OF?
* Killing missing campers Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, at Bucks Camp in the Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria’s northeast on March 20, 2020.
* He admitted disposing the bodies in remote bushland of the Union Spur track before returning in November 2020 to burn the remains.
WHEN DID THE TRIAL START?
* The trial started on 13 May and the jury started deliberating on 17 June.
WHAT DID THE PROSECUTION ALLEGE?
* Lynn killed Mr Hill after a disagreement, possibly over Mr Hill’s drone.
* Lynn then shot dead Mrs Clay because she was a witness to the first murder.
LYNN’S VERSION OF EVENTS
* On 20 March, 2020, Mr Hill threatened to send drone footage to police of Lynn deer hunting near Bucks Camp.
* Later that evening, Lynn claims Mr Hill took his shot gun from his open car door.
* A struggle between Lynn and Mr Hill ensued over the gun and it accidentally discharged, striking Mrs Clay in the head.
* Mr Hill dropped the gun and Lynn returned it to his vehicle but then Mr Hill came at him with a knife, yelling Mrs Clay was dead.
* Lynn told police he tried to defend himself and when he fell, the knife went into Mr Hill’s chest.
* He then cleared and burned the campsite, before taking the bodies and dumping them in remote bushland.
* Lynn returned again in November 2020 to burn the remains.
WHAT DID LYNN SAY DURING HIS EVIDENCE TO THE JURY?
* Maintained he was telling the truth to police in his record of interview.
* He used Jetstar-supplied gloves to clean blood from the campsite before burning the tent and other items.
* He took cash from the couple’s wallets, as well as their phones and Mr Hill’s drone.
* “The whole plan was for me to disappear”.
* Conceded his actions to conceal the deaths was “despicable”.
* “All I can say to the families is that I am very sorry.”
* Conceded he trained as an airline pilot to remain calm under pressure – “A better result is always achieved without panic”.
* But maintained he was panicking when he realised Mr Hill and Mrs Clay were dead – “I have never been faced with two dead people”.
* Maintained he was innocent of murder and manslaughter – “I didn’t kill anyone”.
WHAT DID THE PROSECUTION SAY IN CLOSING ARGUMENTS?
* “The accused’s story is indeed a series of very unfortunate events. Like the book series of that name, it is also a complete fiction.”
* “The accused murdered Mr Hill and Mrs Clay and immediately embarked on an elaborate plan to obliterate any evidence that would establish that.”
WHAT DID THE DEFENCE SAY IN CLOSING ARGUMENTS?
* “(Lynn’s) account was supported by prosecution witness after prosecution witness… the prosecution are not in a position to demonstrate one single lie.
* “(The prosecution) have got the wrong charge. They’ve overcharged him. He should be charged with destruction of evidence. He’s offered to plead guilty to that charge.”
THE JURY’S VERDICTS
* On Tuesday 25 June Lynn was found guilty of murdering Mrs Clay but not guilty of killing Mr Hill.
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
* Lynn will front the Supreme Court in July for a sentencing date to be set.
