- Russell Hill and Carol Clay were allegedly murdered
- Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn is on trial
- A Victorian Supreme Court jury will decide his fate
- The campers went missing in March 2020 in the Wonnangatta Valley
Former Jetstar captain Greg Lynn shot one of his alleged victims in the head, jurors have been told.
Police allege Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, were killed while camping in the remote Wonnanangatta Valley in Victoria’s alpine region more than four years ago.
On Monday, Lynn, 57, appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria before a jury of 15 to 12 members of whom will ultimately decide her fate.
Lynn, neatly dressed in a suit and glasses, casually took notes as 78 potential jurors filed into the courtroom.
Lynn pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder.
Greg Lynn outside the Supreme Court of Victoria as his murder trial began on Monday
Providing a brief summary of the allegations, Judge Michael Croucher told the jury that Lynn was alleged to have shot Ms. Clay and killed Mr. Hill on March 20, 2020.
He told court prosecutors that Lynn was camping at a site called Bucks Camp at the same time as Hill and Clay.
“It will be alleged that Mr Lynn shot Ms Clay in the head, killing her as a result, and that Mr Lynn killed Mr Hill,” Judge Croucher said.
The jury of seven women and eight men heard the trial could take up to six weeks to reach its conclusion.
“It is your role to consider the evidence and decide what the facts are,” Judge Croucher told them.
“What matters is your view of the facts, not mine or anyone else’s.”
Police allege Carol Clay was shot in the head and killed in March 2020.
Police allege Russell Hill was camping with Clay when they were killed.
The jury was told they must all be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt to convict Lynn of murder.
The jury also has the option of finding Lynn guilty of the alternative manslaughter charges: A key distinction is whether the death was caused by an illegal and dangerous act, rather than being done with the intent to kill or seriously injure.
“It is a fundamental part of the justice system that people are presumed innocent unless proven guilty,” Judge Croucher said.
“It is not up to the accused to prove his innocence, but rather to the prosecution to prove his accusation.”
The jurors were sent home shortly after 1:30 p.m., after Judge Croucher concluded his introductory remarks.
The trial will return on Tuesday when Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu details how the prosecution presents its case against Lynn.
This will be followed by a response from Lynn’s lawyer, Dermot Dann KC, outlining what issues the jury will have to decide.
