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Lynn, aged 59, sat motionless as he submitted his bail application at the Victorian Supreme Court earlier today.
He faces charges in connection with the murder of 73-year-old Carol Clay, who, along with 74-year-old Russell Hill, disappeared from a secluded campsite in Victoria’s northeastern region in March 2020.
The court heard from senior crown prosecutor Mark Gibson KC that Lynn allegedly shot Clay in the head with a projectile from his gun.
Gibson maintained that the prosecution had a robust case against Lynn and strongly opposed granting bail.
In contrast, Lynn’s defense attorney, Dermot Dann KC, contended that his client should be granted bail, asserting that the evidence against him was not compelling.
“This is a case with particular problems,” Dann said, , as he was challenged by Justice David Beach, who noted the allegations were “terrible and shocking”.
The barrister said there were exceptional reasons to grant Lynn bail, including his difficult conditions in custody and his diagnosed heart condition for which he was awaiting surgery.
Prosecutors were also not alleging he was a risk of endangering the community, Dann said.
“He’s not suggested to be an unacceptable risk,” the barrister told the court.
“Your Honour can impose stringent conditions if there were any slight concerns.”
Conditions could include a curfew and a prohibition from attending any points of departure, Dann said.
The defence barrister said Lynn also had strong family support, with his son Geordie and wife of 22 years Melanie in attendance today.
Geordie Lynn was also willing to provide accommodation and put forward his “life savings” as a bail guarantor, the barrister argued.
Gibson argued the range of circumstances did not reach the high bar of being exceptional.
“In our case, the applicant doesn’t get to that point and bail should be refused,” he said.
Justice David Beach reserved his decision on bail to March 5.
He flagged that Lynn could face a trial as early as July.
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