Greg Lynn trial: Photos show charred remains of Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s campsite

New pictures of Russell Hill and Carol Clay’s burnt campsite have been shown to a jury as their accused killer Greg Lynn argues the deaths were accidental.

Mr Lynn is facing trial in Victoria’s Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to killing the elderly couple while camping in the state’s remote High Country in March 2020.

Prosecutors allege he murdered the pair, likely following a dispute with Mr Hill, while the former Jetstar captain argues the pair died accidentally after Mr Hill swiped his gun in the evening of March 20.

Last week, the jury was told Mr Lynn did not dispute burning their campsite and removing their bodies from the scene.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

news, australia, crime, tas news, vic news, greg lynn trial: photos show charred remains of russell hill and carol clay’s campsite

Childhood sweethearts, Carol Clay and Russell Hill, vanished on a camping trip. Supplied Credit: Supplied

He also admitted to disposing of the remains in bushland along the Union Spur track near Dargo, returning in November the same year to burn the bodies.

Prosecutors, led by Daniel Porceddu, argued his actions were an “implied admission” of guilt, while his barrister, Dermot Dann KC, said his client had made a “series of terrible choices” fearing he would be wrongly blamed.

On Wednesday, forensic officer George Xydias gave evidence he was asked by police to examine the charred remains of Mr Hill and Mrs Clay’s camp on April 1, 2020.

He said part of his job was to look for “things that could potentially cause ignition”.

news, australia, crime, tas news, vic news, greg lynn trial: photos show charred remains of russell hill and carol clay’s campsite

Photos taken by former Maffra police officer Madeline Rachford of Russell Hill and Carol Clay's destroyed campsite. Supplied/ Supreme Court of Victoria Credit: Supplied

In his opinion, the jury was told, a single fire began in the tent near where two gas bottles were located.

Burnt items including a camping stove, clothing, bedding, gas bottles, a solar panel and a car mirror were identified within the tent.

Mr Xydias agreed there Mr Lynn’s account of placing their camping equipment in the body of the tent before setting it ablaze with petrol was “consistent” with the evidence.

news, australia, crime, tas news, vic news, greg lynn trial: photos show charred remains of russell hill and carol clay’s campsite

A detective told the jury he found the tent “totally destroyed”. Supplied/ Supreme Court of Victoria Credit: News Corp Australia

news, australia, crime, tas news, vic news, greg lynn trial: photos show charred remains of russell hill and carol clay’s campsite

Fire damaged items were located at Russell Hill and Carol Clay's campsite. Supplied/ Supreme Court of Victoria Credit: News Corp Australia

news, australia, crime, tas news, vic news, greg lynn trial: photos show charred remains of russell hill and carol clay’s campsite

Raked from the ashes, the items underwent forensic examination. Supplied/ Supreme Court of Victoria Credit: News Corp Australia

Prosecutors allege Mr Hill was killed first, likely after a dispute with Mr Lynn over the former’s drone, and Ms Clay was shot dead second as a witness.

They suggested neither posed any threat to Mr Lynn.

Through his barrister, Mr Lynn has claimed Mrs Clay was accidentally killed first as the two men wrestled over his gun.

On his account, Mr Hill died after approaching Mr Lynn with a knife, falling on it accidentally as they fought a second time.

The trial before Justice Michael Croucher will resume on Friday.

OTHER NEWS

4 hrs ago

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy 'getting fed up' with owner Jerry Jones: report

4 hrs ago

Who Should Steelers Hope Wins Training Camp QB Battle?

4 hrs ago

Goaltender's dad talks up the Oilers' chances of lifting the Stanley Cup

4 hrs ago

Phillies turn rare 1-3-5 triple play against Tigers, 1st since 1929

4 hrs ago

Discount Burger Check? Chiefs' Reid Shares Hilarious Commercial Story

4 hrs ago

'Devastating loss': Digital lending library, Internet Archive, removes 500,000 books after being sued by publishers

4 hrs ago

Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina: WTA ‘Big 4’ state of play ahead of Wimbledon

4 hrs ago

Would a Toronto byelection loss spell doom for Trudeau?

4 hrs ago

BlackSuit ransomware gang blamed for ongoing car dealership outages

4 hrs ago

'Unreal' injury-time equaliser saves football powerhouse

4 hrs ago

Nigel Farage accused of cosying up to the Kremlin by former NATO boss

4 hrs ago

Dagestan, in southern Russia, has a history of violence. Why does it keeps happening?

4 hrs ago

Marines revive a World War II airfield on Peleliu in Pacific pivot

4 hrs ago

Fortnite Brings Tilted Towers and Other Fan Favorite Locations, But With a Twist

4 hrs ago

Shadow of the Erdtree Puts the Cherry on Top of Elden Rings Main Strength

4 hrs ago

Anger erupts as Albo's governor-general is awarded payrise

4 hrs ago

Charo Makes Rare Public Appearance at Project Angel Food Event: 'Life Is Beautiful' (Exclusive)

4 hrs ago

Boozed-up England fans sing '10 German bombers' chant in Cologne

4 hrs ago

Show Respect: ‘Boys are surprised we talk about this, it’s become normalised’

4 hrs ago

After clash with prosecutor, judge reserves ruling on restricting Trump’s rhetoric about agents’ classified documents search

4 hrs ago

Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan ‘doesn’t deliver’ any ‘energy price decrease’ until 2040

4 hrs ago

Where to watch Netherlands vs. Austria live stream, TV channel, lineups, prediction for Euro 2024 match

4 hrs ago

China lunar probe to return to Earth with samples

4 hrs ago

Report: Knicks’ OG Anunoby declines player option, enters unrestricted free agency

4 hrs ago

Saints offensive line ranked 19th in the NFL

4 hrs ago

Senators acquire goaltender Linus Ullmark from Bruins

4 hrs ago

Why Qld feels like home for the Blues

4 hrs ago

Seahawks waive 3 undrafted free agents, make UFL champ signing official

4 hrs ago

Andrew Scott Frantically Runs to Hear Taylor Swift's ‘Style' at 'Eras Tour'

4 hrs ago

England’s Test series v New Zealand: Date, kick-off time and TV channel

4 hrs ago

Bills' McDermott Says Von Miller Has ‘Something to Prove’

4 hrs ago

US prosecutors want Boeing to face criminal charges

4 hrs ago

Finance Minister Michael McGrath set to become Ireland's new EU Commissioner

4 hrs ago

Red-hot Cardinals get huge boost in return of star catcher

4 hrs ago

How police use the mail to spy on you: 60,000 cases in last decade with little pushback

4 hrs ago

These 3 Republicans are Trump’s most likely VP picks

4 hrs ago

Roy Jones Jr. announces his son, DeAndre, died by suicide

4 hrs ago

Luxury Gyms, Like Equinox and Life Time, Are Taking Over Big Retail Spaces

4 hrs ago

Automobili Pininfarina PURA Vision wins prestigious Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2024

4 hrs ago

Pop legend Robbie Williams wears his AFL jersey to see if he still gets recognised in London - with some very surprising results