Current Trial Russell Hill & Carol Clay - Wonnangatta *Pilot Greg Lynn Pleads Not Guilty to Murder

[Kurve]

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On the Greg Lynn committal proceedings Crown Prosecutor Mr Dickie said 'It is clear hopefully from the document, and if it's not clear from the document it's clear hopefully from the charges put before the court, that it is alleged of course that the accused acted with murderous intent when he allegedly killed the two victims.'

 

[LeChatNoir]

Getting stuck into the summation of prs.. bumbling, ridiculous & thinks he is clousea.

Please tell me you mean
and not

 

[FrankGrimes]

The most interesting question now is how long it will take the jury to come to their decision?

Quicker it comes back the worse it is for old mate Glenn.

 

[independant witness]

D.D. spending a lot of time pointing out where Prs. has not been fair, has not followed court rules, has left out evidence from expert witnesses when it didn't help their case and has made up things.

 

[Terrafirma]

Great to see the majority sentiment is towards Lynn getting substantial time for at least 1 x count of murder. The evidence everybody was looking for was already in Lynn's carefully crafted but completely unbelievable testimony. It is fictional and anybody with a basic IQ would know that. Anyway let's see what happens but today's vibe is completely different from those who keep seeking the magical evidence bullet. Put him away I say and ban him from his pathetic private clubs.

 

[GardenGnome]

Spoken to two...a long time mate(in his opinion, will be G on at least one count), and a rando barrister I met getting a coffee this morning. He also believe Prs. has made enough of a convincing case...he also had a fair idea that Mr Dann as counsel would set you back $18-20K / day for such a matter, plus support costs.....he is definitely earning his money..
BTW..very convincing, logical summation by Prs. this morning, with a number of rest breaks for the jury to take it all in, in a very eventful day thus far! A fainting public gallery member, and an errant mobile going off in the public gallery at a very poignant debate about Mr Dann's concerns that the Prs. Is flying very close to the sun regarding the rules (using Dunn& Brown as precedent).
We left for early lunch, with bombshell of Mr Dann taking some time to review the transcript, and intimating he make as a result of that review, make an application to discharge the jury..
This is the case that keeps giving..

As always, am grateful for your commentary and I bet many of us wish to be there as well. Looking forward to further behind the scenes comments from you after the jury have provided their verdict.

 

[GardenGnome]

D.D. spending a lot of time pointing out where Prs. has not been fair, has not followed court rules, has left out evidence from expert witnesses when it didn't help their case and has made up things.

Clutching at the proverbial straws?

 

[independant witness]

Clutching at the proverbial straws?

prosecution appears calmly unmoved by anything DD has said

 

[GardenGnome]

I reckon Lynn is cooked and Defence knows it.

Kerosene? Anyone?

 

[GladdyDee]

I respectfully disagree if the jury are to be given liberato directions.

Great information about it here: https://chrisnowlan.com/liberato.pdf

Im envisaging a huge ‘plausible vs porky?’ matrix x each part of the story - on a whiteboard, with half run out markers, surrounded by a mountain of coffee cups and red bull

 

[Terrafirma]

Kerosene? Anyone?

I wonder what is going through Lynn's mind.? ATM. Happy he hired Dann.? Wishing he had of done things differently? He bought himself sometime after the alleged murders and time to construe a story which whilst technically plausible certainly not logical IMO.

 

[Lady O]

Im envisaging a huge ‘plausible vs porky?’ matrix x each part of the story - on a whiteboard, with half run out markers, surrounded by a mountain of coffee cups and red bull

And people whinging that they have to get back to work/their husband is sick/they have to mind their grandchildren, etc etc.

 

[champagnegirl]

Feel devastated for them. Will certainly shape their lives moving forward and I wish them well.

I too have so much concern for those two young teen/young adults What a heartbreaking conflict for them. To be torn between loyalty, belief and love for their father and the horror and confusion of knowing that their loved father was capable of such terrible acts.
Sounds like in reality, they’ll need some intense counselling if they’re going to be able to handle life Ok and not normalise the dreadful things Lynn has done in order to save face.

 

[utility]

Interesting play on the jury.

Maybe Dann thinks he can pick apart the witnesses (to create reasonable doubt) if called to take the stand again?

But the same goes for Lynn. If he's telling pork pies more likely he makes contradictory statements.

 

[Run n Spread]

I always thought the defence went first and prosecution last in closing?
Guess I'm wrong

 

[Kurve]

Despite Lynn leading police to the Union Spur Track site, the Crown said Lynn had continued to conceal the remains and failed to tell police that when he moved the ash and bone fragments with a dustpan

In considering a big part of Lynn's defence is that he told the cops where the remains were and Dann keeps ramming it home, I wonder if this is what Dann wants the jury dismissed over?

 

[GardenGnome]

I wonder what is going through Lynn's mind.? ATM. Happy he hired Dann.? Wishing he had of done things differently? He bought himself sometime after the alleged murders and time to construe a story which whilst technically plausible certainly not logical IMO.

It’s a huge whack of money. And the months post-event gave him plenty of time to do all that box ticking; it seems he was playing bingo with his imagination. Let’s see what the prize will be?!

I’m really curious to know if the Lynn household noticed anything unusual in his behaviour after that fated camp trip or any of his subsequent rendezvous with RH/CC.

He reported that Mrs wasn’t much interested in camping and didn’t ask about his trip.

Lockdown sure would have been quite a stressful time with his plotting and planning.

 

[thumbs_up]

Clutching at the proverbial straws?

Were the straws attached to the rope?

 

[GardenGnome]

This is why he told the cops there was nothing left, because he thought he'd done such a good job of it.

Despite Lynn leading police to the Union Spur Track site, the Crown said Lynn had continued to conceal the remains and failed to tell police that when he moved the ash and bone fragments with a dustpan, he placed most of them at the base of a fallen tree.

Lynn answered 1200 police questions, told no lies: defence

The prosecutor has asked the jury to reject as “fiction” accused killer Gregory Lynn’s claim the deaths were accidental.

www.theage.com.au

Can you pls post the article text?

 

[Lady O]

It’s a huge whack of money. And the months post-event gave him plenty of time to do all that box ticking; it seems he was playing bingo with his imagination. Let’s see what the prize will be?!

I’m really curious to know if the Lynn household noticed anything unusual in his behaviour after that fated camp trip or any of his subsequent rendezvous with RH/CC.

He reported that Mrs wasn’t much interested in camping and didn’t ask about his trip.

Lockdown sure would have been quite a stressful time with his plotting and planning.

The comment Lynn made about them having a good laugh when they saw his vehicle on 60 Minutes was very odd. There had been requests from Police for the driver of the vehicle to contact them, but apparently he didn't. What did the family find funny about a vehicle exactly like his, in the exact area he was camping, at the exact same time?

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I too have so much concern for those two young teen/young adults What a heartbreaking conflict for them. To be torn between loyalty, belief and love for their father and the horror and confusion of knowing that their loved father was capable of such terrible acts.
Sounds like in reality, they’ll need some intense counselling if they’re going to be able to handle life Ok and not normalise the dreadful things Lynn has done in order to save face.

They are probably finding out details of the alleged crimes that they didn’t know before. There’s no way Lynn told them everything he’d done

 

[InagoRaida]

D.D. spending a lot of time pointing out where Prs. has not been fair, has not followed court rules, has left out evidence from expert witnesses when it didn't help their case and has made up things.

Yes, after a few weeks of Exceptional Dann, today we got just Demo Dermi...a rambling, perjorative alter-ego of his learned counsel, that waffled, was vague at times, somewhat non-specific, seeking only to muddy the waters....
Even trying to ininsuate the Carol slug can't have been in found in its original resting location, implore that Lynn said doors were open, therefore the interior light was on (even Justice Croucher smirked at that).
Dann was disappointing today!!!
He made fun of the multiple prononciations of mr Galateli(spelling?), at one point calling him Mr Gelati...IMO the jury were not amused...it was not wise crack Tuesday at the comedy festival!
He refuted the Prs. at every turn, but the performative asapects of today's half of his performance was more Tabloid than Tenacious!

Dann's tempestuous arguments re Browne & Dunn, and proposing motion for discharge, seems it may be more for the theatre sport of it, than action. He has simmered a bit, talking about strong direction to Jurors instead, but he is reserving his right to sleep on it. Justice Croucher, whilst agreeing with Dann's premise, had a more restrained take it it with a morecentral position between counsels.

Today, in my opinion and observation, Prs. Did fantastic job of concisely, methodically and systematically breaking down the many observable points in Lynn's account. He was more relaxed today, spoke clearly with conviction, but with humility that seemed to appeal to the jury.

Lots of the gallery were seemingky dissatisfied with Dann's efforts today, and the jury were definitely less engaged than in the morning (that may due just to time of day!)

I feel the crux is still the incriminating conduct, Carol shot, and clearly refuted details of Lynns account with the "gun wrestle" at front. So much of Lynns testimony seemed as rehearsed as a performance at the Atheneaum, yet other parts like Late Night Improv in a smoky bar...especially when you hold up the RoI original evidence, and the self-told "based on true story" version from last Thursday!

Today is the first real day that i thought Justice Will Prevail...I hope I am right...

 

[InagoRaida]

Clutching at the proverbial straws?

He does seem to have lost a bit of "Mojo"..

 

[InagoRaida]

Can i just note one thing...throughout (& because of) this case, i have met a whole range of interesting, insighful, curious and considered humans all in the mutual pursuit of answers. When i started following this, some of my peers/colleagues thought i was crazy....but the intense interest it has generated in like minded souls (and the general populace) has given me new found hope against forming my view that cynical apathy is taking over.
That includes the insightful humans here too, not just IRL.!
The conversations whilst waiting, in nearby coffe shops, random encounters...all food for a curious mind!

 

[Terrafirma]

Yes, after a few weeks of Exceptional Dann, today we got just Demo Dermi...a rambling, perjorative alter-ego of his learned counsel, that waffled, was vague at times, somewhat non-specific, seeking only to muddy the waters....
Even trying to ininsuate the Carol slug can't have been in found in its original resting location, implore that Lynn said doors were open, therefore the interior light was on (even Justice Croucher smirked at that).
Dann was disappointing today!!!
He made fun of the multiple prononciations of mr Galateli(spelling?), at one point calling him Mr Gelati...IMO the jury were not amused...it was not wise crack Tuesday at the comedy festival!
He refuted the Prs. at every turn, but the performative asapects of today's half of his performance was more Tabloid than Tenacious!

Dann's tempestuous arguments re Browne & Dunn, and proposing motion for discharge, seems it may be more for the theatre sport of it, than action. He has simmered a bit, talking about strong direction to Jurors instead, but he is reserving his right to sleep on it. Justice Croucher, whilst agreeing with Dann's premise, had a more restrained take it it with a morecentral position between counsels.

Today, in my opinion and observation, Prs. Did fantastic job of concisely, methodically and systematically breaking down the many observable points in Lynn's account. He was more relaxed today, spoke clearly with conviction, but with humility that seemed to appeal to the jury.

Lots of the gallery were seemingky dissatisfied with Dann's efforts today, and the jury were definitely less engaged than in the morning (that may due just to time of day!)

I feel the crux is still the incriminating conduct, Carol shot, and clearly refuted details of Lynns account with the "gun wrestle" at front. So much of Lynns testimony seemed as rehearsed as a performance at the Atheneaum, yet other parts like Late Night Improv in a smoky bar...especially when you hold up the RoI original evidence, and the self-told "based on true story" version from last Thursday!

Today is the first real day that i thought Justice Will Prevail...I hope I am right...

Yes as we knew the Pros said Lynn had 1 year and 8 months to carefully fabricate a story as parts of the evidence against him became clear. One clear point that was also made was Lynn referred to his weapon as a Rifle in his original statement and then later changed it to a shotgun. As a gun club member and owner you don't make that error. I had not picked up on the supposed rope between toilet and tent was interesting to hear that. It also appears that Dann's attempt at humor and other arguments did not appeal to the jury or if not the jury, the public gallery. I also wonder if the jury also pick up on the Gallery's sentiment?

 

[Gibbsy]

Today's Age article has plenty of information from both the defence and prosecution's closing statements. Warning... long post.

Lynn answered 1200 police questions, told no lies: defence

The prosecutor has asked the jury to reject as “fiction” accused killer Gregory Lynn’s claim the deaths were accidental.

www.theage.com.au

---

Accused killer Gregory Lynn answered 1200 police questions and told the truth about the deaths of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay, his defence barrister has told a Supreme Court jury.

In closing submissions on Tuesday, Dermot Dann, KC, told the jury that in his interview with police, Lynn provided more than 1000 pieces of information. “One thousand and fifty seven, to be precise,” he said. “We were confident [this] would demonstrate that of those 1057 pieces of information, the prosecution would not be able to demonstrate one of them was a lie. And we’re still in that position.”

Lynn, 57, has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Hill, 74, and Clay, 73, in the remote Wonnangatta Valley on March 20, 2020. The prosecution alleges Lynn killed the pair with murderous intent, probably after a dispute over Hill’s drone. Lynn says both Hill and Clay died accidentally; Clay during Lynn and Hill’s struggle over a shotgun, and Hill during a subsequent struggle over a kitchen knife.

Dann told the jurors he recognised that over the past four weeks, they had been confronted with the sad reality that two people had lost their lives. However, he noted that Lynn should be presumed to be innocent, and said the jury was looking at an “innocent man”. That, he said, could only change if 12 jurors were satisfied he was guilty of one or two charges of murder.

“First thing you’ve seen happening over the last four weeks is a prosecution case that has bumbled and stumbled its way out of the problematic category it started in to an unequivocally mistaken category of hopelessness. A series of incredibly desperate and ill-fated tactical manoeuvres by the prosecution culminating in the final address today that was so desperate it broke, time and time again, the well-established rules in this court, the rules of fairness.

"It was a disgraceful performance.”

Dann said that over the past month, the defence case had grown stronger.

Prosecution presented half-baked theories: defence​

Dann said he would take the jury through 17 “lowlights” of the prosecution case. They include a failure to adduce any evidence of Hill’s involvement with firearms, his mental health, and the death of Hill’s family member in a hunting accident in 1995.

Dann said the prosecution had also wasted the jury’s time. Presenting unnecessary evidence could only have been meant to “chew up time”, he said. This included a drone being kilometres away from Bucks Camp in the Wonnangatta Valley, and other parts of the case that were not in contention.

The defence barrister also pointed to issues with prosecution evidence including “half-baked theories” he said included a witness speaking about the vacuum theory, and reconstruction testing by police. The vacuum theory refers to when a close-range gunshot hits someone and sucks their blood back into the barrel of the gun, the court heard earlier.

Dann said prosecution witness and blood-spatter expert Mark Gellatly first raised the vacuum theory in the witness box. Dann said Gellatly should be called gelati [ice-cream] as he “melted on the stand” when asked where that theory was in his case file.

“You can’t have any confidence about their [the prosecution’s] submissions. It’s been a shambles, no other word to describe it, and we’re only just starting the process,” Dann said.

Court spectator appears to faint​

The jurors were sent on their lunch break 10 minutes earlier than scheduled after a young man in the public gallery appeared to faint, causing a loud sound. Security guards rushed to his aid.

Thousands of burnt bone fragments​

Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu said Lynn had moved the campers’ bodies to a second location, where Lynn said he left them in an area where he believed they would be found, covering them in branches to stop animals interfering with them.

The Crown labelled this as “absolute nonsense” and said that the bodies had been placed at the end of a dead-end track “miles and miles” from the Wonnangatta Valley where the searches were taking place. This was done, Porceddu alleged, so that Lynn could return to the site later. “And he did,” Porceddu said.

The Crown then pointed to forensic evidence of the scene – more than 2100 bone fragments found at the site, which had largely been impacted by fire. Due to the fire damage in November 2020, Porceddu said the conclusions of experts including an anthropologist, teeth expert and DNA expert were limited.

He noted an insect specialist who inspected the casings of maggots found blow flies had laid eggs at the scene, hatched, and fed on flesh before emerging and flying away.

Investigators couldn’t determine the causes of the campers’ deaths. “Whatever had caused their deaths had been masked by the changes brought about to their bodies by the burning and fragmentation,” Porceddu said.

Despite Lynn leading police to the Union Spur Track site, the Crown said Lynn had continued to conceal the remains and failed to tell police that when he moved the ash and bone fragments with a dustpan, he placed most of them at the base of a fallen tree.

Why Lynn burnt the campers’ bodies​

Porceddu told jurors they should believe the evidence they’d been presented during the trial would satisfy them beyond reasonable doubt that the accused man had murdered Hill and Clay and immediately embarked on an elaborate plan to “obliterate any evidence” that would support that.

He noted that the prosecution couldn’t say what was the motive for the alleged murders, or the precise way Hill had been killed, other than saying Clay had been shot to the head. “It is common sense to assume there must’ve been a disagreement over events at the campsite,” Porceddu said.

“The prosecution alleges Mr Hill was killed first in part because Clay would’ve been unlikely to pose a threat to Lynn, other than being a witness to what they allege was Hill being killed first. She was eliminated because she was a witness.”

In the aftermath of the deaths, the Crown said Lynn had commenced an elaborate, calculated, protracted series of actions to disguise the manner of deaths and any involvement he had in the scene, including obliterating forensic evidence.

So extreme was the conduct of burning the bodies of Hill and Clay that it could only have been done in the wake of murder, Porceddu said. “If they [the deaths] were accidental or unintentional, why would you go to the extreme and extraordinary step of burning the bodies of Mrs Hill and Mr Clay? Incinerating their remains is so disproportionate to … accidental killings.”

Porceddu said Lynn had also failed to call for help, cleaned and burnt Bucks Camp, staged the scene to look like a robbery, took cash from Hill’s wallet, took phones and a drone, and left. He said a combination of the remoteness of the location and the coincidence of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic meant the missing persons report did not attract the immediate attention of police. The park was then closed over the winter period.

During this time, Porceddu said Lynn had painted his car, after it was captured by cameras travelling past Mt Hotham on March 21, 2020, and removed an awning that was visible in a 60 Minutes program about the missing campers broadcast in November 2021.

The shotgun and the rifle​

Porceddu said there were several reasons why Lynn’s version of events could not be true.

These included Hill “rooting around” Lynn’s car in the dark to retrieve the Barathrum Arms shotgun, not the rifle he told police he was filmed by Hill’s drone using close to camp, and then alerting Lynn to the fact he was doing this after he knocked over a drink bottle in the car, while music was allegedly blaring from the four-wheel drive.

“If you’re a person concerned about firearm safety, snuck up to a campsite to confiscate a gun without him knowing, why are you loading it when all you’re looking to do is take it back to your campsite?” Porceddu said.

“At some point, the accused is going to turn the music off and shut the car for the night, and when he does, he’s going to notice his gun and magazine is missing. And once that happens, he’s going to know it was either taken by Mr Hill or Mrs Clay. They’re the only ones at the campsite. Hill is supposed to have taken the Barathrum Arms, but left the accused with another gun [a rifle] and ammunition.

“If you’re going to confiscate a gun from someone you’re not on the best terms with ... to eventually report to police … don’t you think you’d make sure he wasn’t left with another gun?” Porceddu said.

Lynn’s explanation that Hill had then fired warning shots into the air as Lynn ran to take cover by Hill’s LandCruiser before a struggle ensued for control of the weapon was also flawed, Porceddu said. The prosecutor pointed out there was a guy rope attached to the bull bar that would have been in his way.

Porceddu said Lynn had also repeatedly switched between Hill having his rifle and shotgun during evidence in his police interview and in the witness box. “At certain points, the accused, a man you might think is very careful and methodical, falls down on the detail. Quite simply, the rope ruins the whole account. We urge you to see the accused’s account for what it is, a carefully constructed fiction developed over one year and eight months.”

What happened when the accused and Hill met​

Porceddu noted that the onus of proof remained on the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Lynn had murdered Hill and Clay. But he said it was entirely up to the jury to reject Lynn’s version of events.

“According to accused, this unfortunate series of events is said to start with one thing – Mr Hill being hostile towards him because he was a deer hunter. He concocts a version of events that puts Mr Hill as aggressor and him as the victim in a campsite spat. But the accused did not know Mr Hill when he made up that story,” Porceddu said.

“When we look at the evidence of those who knew Mr Hill or met him camping ... it quickly becomes clear how fanciful the accused’s story is.”

The Crown says this account shows that Hill and Lynn chatted cordially when Hill and Clay first arrived at Bucks Camp. “All seems fine. But ... on the accused’s account, over a space of ... 24 hours, Mr Hill seemingly goes from cordial to homicidal rage.”

Campers’ last contact with the outside world​

The Crown says phone records and the evidence of witnesses, including family and friends, show Hill and Clay left for their camping trip on the morning of Thursday, March 19, 2020. Hill’s wife, Robyn, helped her husband pack, and she gave him a small amount of cash.

Porceddu said Hill’s phone last made contact with the nearby phone network on March 21, 2020. The prosecutor said Hill made his way into the Wonnangatta Valley, as seen by two environmental scientists, who both recall Hill giving way to them. “All appeared well,” Porceddu said. Other campers later saw Hill drive into the Bucks Camp campsite, including a NSW man who said he had waved at him.

The Crown said on the afternoon of March 20, 2020, weed sprayer Robbie Williams saw a drone flying over the sprayers’ campsite after he’d knocked off for the day. “Was it Mr Hill’s drone? Possibly, although on the other hand, it was at a fair distance from Bucks Camp. In any event, the drone tipped wings at Mr Williams, waving at him, and moved on,” Porceddu said.

At 6pm that evening, Hill logged onto his amateur radio club to speak to his friends. “There is nothing unusual about that conversation,” the prosecutor said. “He did not mention Clay was there ... which was not unusual, as we heard Robyn Hill [Russell Hill’s wife] would listen in to ensure he was safe. And amateur radio is not private,” he said.

“His radio friends did not describe anything different ... he was not upset or angry. [Amateur radio club member Rob] Ashlin said he was ‘as happy as a pig in shit’ ... he was in his favourite valley, he could not have been happier. This would be the last anyone heard of Mr Hill.”

Lynn ‘the last person alive at Bucks Camp’​

Robyn Hill tuned in to the amateur radio club chat over following days, but did not hear Russell. She spoke to friends and her daughters about her concerns and reported Hill missing on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

Meanwhile, the Crown said, witness and fellow camper Tom Matthews was camping in the valley near the Wonnangatta River crossing when he heard “[at] midnight or roughly” on March 20 an automatic transmission petrol vehicle, thought to be a 4WD, towing a trailer, banging on the potholes.

Gregory Lynn's 4WD​

He said the car was trying to leave the valley via the river crossing exit, but it was closed, and the car had to turn around. Porceddu said by that time, Hill’s phone was inside the accused’s Nissan Patrol and travelling about 9.50am on March 21, 2020 near Mt Hotham, consistent with the path of Lynn’s car. “It’s the prosecution case that the accused had driven through the night.”

Of 11 other vehicles captured travelling in the area between 9.40 and 10am, the accused’s car was identified by both Lynn and police as the only one that travelled up Dargo High Plains Road. He said that about 3pm, Lynn’s phone reconnected with the network, hitting the Mansfield tower. He remained there, Porceddu said, until midday the following day, March 22, 2020, before heading back to his home in Caroline Springs.

Bucks Camp crime scene​

“From all the evidence, you can conclude on the evening of Friday, 20th March, the accused man, Mr Hill and Mrs Clay were all camping at Bucks Camp. The accused was the last person left alive at Bucks Camp.”

The Crown said on the accused’s version of events both Hill and Clay died accidentally. “A series of very unfortuante events, like the book series of that name, it is also complete fiction,” Porceddu said. “You should readily reject it beyond reasonable doubt.”

What happened when Lynn arrived at Bucks Camp​

Porceddu said bank and phone records established that Lynn had left his Caroline Springs home for the alpine region on Monday, March 16, 2020.

He is a registered firearm owner, licensed to hunt deer. At the time, he was driving a Nissan Patrol which was then painted a dark colour, with a trailer. He brought camping and hunting gear, as well as a 12-gauge shotgun.

Phone data indicates he remained in the High Plains area until about 11am on March 18, 2020. His phone was next seen on the phone network on the afternoon of March 21, 2020, Porceddu said.

Weed sprayers earlier gave evidence that on March 18, 2020, they gave Lynn directions to a campsite known as Bucks Camp. Lynn told one of the weed sprayers he was a hunter, while the other noticed he was wearing a deer-hunting cap and gaiters to protect against snake bites.

The two men said they later saw the accused’s vehicle parked at the river near Bucks Camp, the prosecutor said.

Who were Russell Hill and Carol Clay?​

Hill was a retired man who previously worked in the timber industry and later as a driver for Bunnings. He had been married for 50 years to wife Robyn Hill, with whom he had three children. He was a keen amateur radio enthusiast and drone hobbyist.

Porceddu said Hill loved camping in the alpine region, particularly around the Wonnangatta Valley, where he had worked for most of his life. Other campers had described him as a friendly, knockabout fellow who loved to chat, he said. His wife noted that age was catching up to him and he’d become slow of over the years.

Clay was heavily involved in the Pakenham community and the Country Women’s Association, where she was a former president. She first dated Hill as a teenager. The pair resumed their relationship later and went camping together. Porceddu said Clay had not been fond of camping, but had enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors. One of her daughters described Clay’s relationship with Hill as loving and caring.

Porceddu said there had been a lot of cross-examination by the defence team during the trial about this relationship. He told the jury this was “not an issue in the case”. “You might have a view about that relationship, you might not ... it’s not what this case is about,” Porceddu said.

Lynn burnt bodies to cover up murders: prosecutor​

Earlier on Tuesday, Porceddu told the jury the accused had engaged in a “protracted series of actions ... to disguise his involvement in and the manner of their deaths”. “The most extreme of those actions is the burning of the bodies … eight months after they were murdered.

“This step, along with several others taken by the accused, were designed to obliterate any possibility there could be forensic evidence that could reveal anything in the manner of how they died. The only reasonable explanation … [of] conduct [to] cover up the deaths ... was that he knew he had murdered them and that if the scene had been left as it was, forensic evidence would reveal that fact.”

The trial so far​

Prosecutors say Hill and Clay were murdered, while the defence says their deaths were accidental.

Lynn admits he burnt the bloody Bucks Camp site after the pair’s deaths and bundled the two bodies into his box trailer before driving them to a second site, Union Spur Track, north of Dargo. He returned to the second site twice, including in November 2020 to burn the remains. After his arrest in November 2021, Lynn told police that he did this because he feared he’d be wrongly blamed for the deaths.

Last Thursday, after 16 days of evidence from more than 40 witnesses, Lynn gave evidence in his own murder trial. He told the jury that while his actions after the deaths – including burning human remains – were “despicable”, he maintained Hill and Clay died accidental deaths.