Missing Victorian alpine campers murder trial begins
A trial is due to begin for an airline captain accused of murdering Russell Hill and Carol Clay while they were camping in Victoria's alpine region.
Fourteen jurors, including two substitutes, were empanelled at the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Thursday for the trial of Greg Lynn, who is charged with two counts of murder.
The 57-year-old formally pleaded not guilty to each of the murders from the back of the court room.
Six women and eight men will decide whether Lynn is guilty or innocent, following the four-to-six-week trial
They must come to their verdict unanimously.
If jurors do not find Lynn guilty of murder, they may deliberate on whether he is guilty on an alternative charge of manslaughter for each of the victims.
Both sides will open their cases on Friday morning.
Lynn is represented by top defence barrister Dermot Dann KC and the Crown's prosecutor is Daniel Porceddu.
Justice Michael Croucher told jurors prosecutors would allege Lynn killed Ms Clay, 73, and Mr Hill, 74, while they were camping at Bucks Camp in the Wonnangatta Valley.
He said Lynn was working as an airline captain for Jetstar at the time of the alleged murders.
"It will be alleged Mr Lynn shot Ms Clay in the head, as a result killing her, and that Mr Lynn killed Mr Hill," he told the jury.
"These events are alleged to have occurred on 20 March, 2020."
The judge told the jurors they cannot consume any media on the case and could only make their decision based on the facts presented to them during the trial.
"It's your role, as the jury, to consider the evidence and decide what the facts are in this case," Justice Croucher said.
"Your duty is to consider this case with your head and not your heart."
He warned them they could face criminal charges if they conducted their own research about the trial.
Dozens of witnesses will be called to give evidence, including friends and family of the two victims, campers, forensic pathologists and police.
The trial continues at 10.30am on Friday.
