A date has been set for the next step in High Country killer Greg Lynn’s push to overturn his murder conviction.
A jury last year found Lynn, 58, guilty of Carol Clay’s murder but acquitted him of murdering Russell Hill in Victoria’s High Country in March 2020.
On Wednesday, a court heard the date for the former Jetstar pilot’s application for leave to appeal — where it will be decided whether Lynn’s appeal against his conviction can proceed — had been set for October 31.
Lynn was sentenced to 32 years’ jail last year over Ms Clay’s murder.
Ms Clay, 73, was shot in a struggle that that also claimed the life of her lover, Mr Hill, 74.
During his trial, the prosecution argued Lynn’s “disproportionate” actions to contaminate the crime scene and dispose of the bodies was incriminating conduct that pointed to murder.
Carol Clay and Russell Hill disappeared while camping in Victoria’s High Country in 2020. (Supplied: Victoria Police)
However, Lynn’s lawyers described a scenario of two tragic, accidental killings.
The pair were last seen alive during their camping trip in the Wonnangatta Valley, about five hours east of Melbourne, in March 2020.
The trial heard Lynn crossed paths with the retired campers, where an argument over his hunting activities, loud music and Mr Hill’s drone escalated into struggles over a gun and a knife.
Lynn claimed Mr Hill stole his shotgun, and the two men had wrestled over it, and that Ms Clay was shot in the head when the weapon discharged.
He said Mr Hill was also accidentally killed during a subsequent tussle over a knife. Lynn was the only survivor and there were no witnesses.
Lynn arrested months after incident
During his trial, Lynn claimed he torched Ms Clay and Mr Hill’s campsite fearing nobody would believe the deaths were accidental.
He admitted to transporting the pair’s bodies and dumping them near the remote Union Spur Track, where he later returned to incinerate them.
Lynn was taken into custody in late 2021, and soon afterwards, Mr Hill and Ms Clay’s remains were found.
Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s campsite at Bucks Camp in the remote Wonnangatta Valley, photographed by police. (Supplied: Supreme Court of Victoria)
During sentencing remarks, Justice Michael Croucher called Ms Clay’s death “a very grave example of murder”.
But he also said there were elements of the case that remained unclear, including exactly what unfolded during the deadly fight at Bucks Camp, whether Lynn had a motive, and the order in which the campers died.
“I am satisfied Mrs Clay was killed instantly when she was shot to the head with Mr Lynn’s shotgun,” the judge said.
“It is a grave crime to extinguish the life of another violently.”
Greg Lynn, pictured in September, was found guilty of murdering Carol Clay. (AAP Image: Joel Carrett)
Lynn pleaded not guilty during the trial and has maintained his innocence, formally lodging his appeal of the verdict in November.
According to court documents released by the Supreme Court of Victoria, Lynn’s lawyers have appealed based on four grounds, including the argument “a substantial miscarriage of justice” happened due to the jury’s decision making.
If his appeal is unsuccessful, Lynn will have to serve at least 24 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole.Â