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A new trial awaits former pilot Greg Lynn, accused of murdering a camper and her clandestine partner.
In Melbourne, a full Court of Appeal comprising three judges deliberated on Lynn’s case today.
He contested his conviction and sentencing linked to the death of 73-year-old camper Carol Clay, who, along with Russell Hill, 74, vanished from a secluded camping area in March 2020.
The duo had been camping at Buck’s Camp in Victoria’s remote Wonnangatta Valley, the same location as Lynn.
Lynn faced charges of double murder and proceeded to trial, admitting to burning the bodies but claiming their deaths were unintended.
The jury returned a split verdict in June 2024 and Lynn was sentenced in October of that year to 32 years’ imprisonment with a minimum of 24.
He was found guilty of Clay’s murder but acquitted over Hill’s death.
He appealed the verdict with his lawyers arguing it was unsafe as prosecutors put forward an unfair case and had failed to properly cross-examine Lynn.
However, prosecutors rejected all claims the trial was unfair, despite admitting cross-examination could have been better.
The appeal judges asked prosecutors if they will pursue Lynn on manslaughter charges for both deaths if he faces a new trial.
Prosecutor Kathryn Hamill asked to be given time to discuss this with Victoria’s Director of Public Prosecutions and would pass a note to the court.
Today, three appeal judges returned to the court and allowed his appeal, ordering that he face a fresh trial over Clay’s murder conviction.
The judges found there were a number of “serious irregularities” that gave rise to a “substantial miscarriage of justice” as they set aside the murder conviction.
Hill’s daughters, Deborah and Colleen, sat in court and appeared emotional as the decision was handed down.
Lynn was remanded in custody and will return to the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on January 28.