‘Bullet trajectory’ deemed crucial in Russell Hill and Carol Clay case

The case against the man accused of murdering Victorian campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay is expected to rely on testimony from a firearms expert and phone taps.

Gregg Lynn, 55 appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, November 7 after the former pilot pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of the missing campers in March 2020.

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.

Russell Hill and Carol 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.

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.

We have located human remains in bushland near Dargo as part of our ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

The remains are yet to be formally identified and it is expected this process will take some time.

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— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) November 30, 2021

During Monday’s hearing, the court was told that the prosecution will present phone records, transcripts from an “ongoing” interview, and digital surveillance material to an upcoming hearing in January 2023.

Lynn’s lawyer, Dermot Dann QC, told the court he had 14 folders of material to present to the court but that he was still waiting on some material to be served before he would be ready to proceed with his case.

It was also revealed that a number of witnesses will be called to provide evidence during the upcoming hearing, including ballistics expert Paul Griffiths and forensics officer Mark Gellatly.

The court was told that Griffiths’ evidence was crucial to the case, particularly in regard to expert insight on “bullet trajectory”.

“Mr Griffiths is an important witness dealing with the bullet trajectory and so forth,” Dann told the court as per The Daily Mail.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet expressed his “strong preference” for all witnesses to be in attendance during the hearing and for all items of evidence to be presented to the court.

“It’s my preference that this matter be conducted in court,” he said.

“This is a significant case.”

During a previous hearing in Sale Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August, 24 it was indicated that further searches of the bushland area where Hill and Clay’s bodies were allegedly found were to be carried out.

“There may be a further search to be completed at Wonnangatta and Mount Hotham,” prosecutor Olivia Sparrow said.

The matter will return to court on January 16, 2023.