Greg Lynn: Pilot found guilty on one count of murder over deaths of campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill
Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn has been found guilty on one count of murder over two campers’ deaths in Victoria’s high country.
He was found guilty of Carol Clay’s murder but not guilty of Russell Hill’s murder. The judge had previously ruled the jury could not consider manslaughter as an alternative charge.
The public gallery was filled with family and media as the jury, who began their deliberations on June 17 after a five-week trial in Melbourne’s Supreme Court, handed down the split verdict.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Lynn, 57, is now facing a maximum penalty of life in prison.
He had pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder over the pair’s deaths while camping in Victoria’s alpine region.
He told the jury the two deaths were accidental and occurred after he struggled with a gun and then a knife with Mr Hill.
He claims Mrs Clay died when a shotgun discharged and she was shot in the head during the first struggle, and that Mr Hill died when he came at Lynn with a knife and was stabbed in the chest.
Lynn admitted destroying evidence including burning the bodies and the crime scene.
It was revealed that Mr Hill and Mrs Clay, previously childhood sweethearts, had been having an affair that lasted more than a decade. It was a relationship that Mrs Clay’s daughter described as “loving and caring”.
Mr Lynn, who was known to be a hobby deer hunter who had a gun license, has been in custody since November 2021.
Lynn raised his eyebrows but remained silent after the two verdicts were read aloud.
Justice Michael Croucher discharged the jury and Lynn will be taken back to prison to await his sentence.
In a written statement issued after the verdict, Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien from Crime Command said the thoughts of Victoria Police were with the Hill and Clay families.
“We acknowledge how difficult these past four years have been for them,” he said.
“Their courage and resilience in the face of their grief, amidst enormous public attention, has been nothing short of extraordinary. We will continue to support them in every way possible following this decision.”
The case is expected to return to court on July 19.
- with AAP
