BREAKING: Trial date set for the alleged murderer of Russell Hill and Carol Clay

A trial date for Greg Lynn, the man accused of allegedly murdering Russell Hill and Carol Clay, has now been confirmed.

Lynn is pleading not guilty to two counts of murder and was set to stand trial in October of this year. However, during a pre-trial hearing on Thursday, June 21, a new trial date of February 13, 2024, was scheduled by Victoria’s Supreme Court.

The trial is expected to run for up to six weeks.

During the latest hearing, defence barrister Dermot Dann KC told the court that funding issues are still plaguing his client.

“The battle to secure appropriate funding continues,” Dann said, as reported by The Age.

“The difficulties associated with that have intensified.

“I’m not in a position to assure the court that as things presently stand, funding is in place. Perhaps the opposite.

“We’re dealing with and have been dealing with various entities presenting somewhat of a roadblock there.”

Lynn will return to court in October this year as part of a pre-trial hearing.

Hill and Clay were last heard from on March 20, 2020 when they were camping in the Wonnangatta Valley. The couple’s campsite was discovered by campers on March 21 allegedly destroyed by fire near Dry River Creek Track, Hill’s vehicle was allegedly found with signs of minor fire damage.

Lynn was arrested in relation to the camper’s disappearance on November 21, 2021 and was later charged with two counts of murder after he was questioned for several days by police.

Police located the remains of the pair in Victoria’s bushland in November 2021 after an extensive search.

Following forensic testing, Victoria Police later confirmed the remains belonged to the missing campers.

“Victoria Police can confirm that forensic testing on human remains located near Dargo in November 2021 has now been completed,” a police statement revealed at the time.

“The Coroner has advised Victoria Police that the remains are that of Russell Hill and Carol Clay.”

Following a week-long committal hearing, earlier this year, Magistrate Brett Sonnet committed Lynn to the Victorian Supreme Court for trial.

“I’ve considered the totality of the evidence in the hand-up brief and the evidence heard during this committal proceeding,” Sonnet told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at the time

“I’m satisfied in respect of both charge one and two that there is sufficient weight to support a conviction.”

Lynn responded “not guilty your honour” to the charges against him and did not enter an application for bail.

As the hearing drew to a close, Sonnet thanked the family members of Hill and Clay who were in attendance for the “dignity” that they displayed during a very “difficult experience”.