A Supreme Court jury has retired to consider its verdict in the murder trial of accused killer Gregory Lynn after five weeks of evidence and legal arguments.
Lynn, a former pilot, is accused of murdering Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, at Bucks Camp in the remote Wonnangatta Valley on March 20, 2020.
Clockwise from left: A sketch of the Bucks Camp site accused killer Gregory Lynn drew for police; Gregory Lynn; Carol Clay and Russell Hill.
During the trial, the jurors heard from 49 witnesses including the accused man, the only person called by the defence.
On Friday, two of the 14 jurors were excused from the process after the court empanelled more than the necessary 12 to protect the integrity of the trial.
It means six men and six women will deliberate.
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Justice Michael Croucher told the jurors that there would be no alternate charge of manslaughter available to them, saying: “If you are not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of murder, you would also not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of manslaughter.”
Croucher reminded the jurors they were the judges of the facts and that they must ensure they have an open mind, putting any feelings of sympathy towards Hill and Clay’s families out of their minds.
He said the group must also not let feelings or moral judgments get in the way of their task.