Australia - Russell Hill & Carol Clay Murdered While Camping - Wonnangatta Valley, 2020 #7

[JudgeJudi]

GL and his wife were secretly recorded watching a 60 Minutes episode about the missing campers.

A clip was played to the jury in which a journalist reported police had eliminated every vehicle that was in the Wonnangatta Valley at the time the pair vanished except for a dark blue Nissan Patrol, described as the “strongest lead” in the hunt for clues. A picture of the car and trailer the police were seeking to identify was included. Melanie Lynn commented to GL that the footage “really looked like” his car and trailer.

Days later, he was captured on a CCTV camera removing a black awning from the passenger side of his car.

Det. S/C Florence said a listening device had been placed in GL’s home and that the 60 Minutes program was aired as part of a police strategy.

He said a number of things GL told police during his interview were correct, i.e. where suspected blood spatter was found on RH’s car, how a site at Bucks Camp was set up, what he burned in the campsite fire, his path entering and leaving the valley, and where their human remains were located. He said GL answered every question asked of him and had marked maps to assist in locating where the bodies were taken to and burned. Dann asked if everything GL said was true to which Florence replied, “No”.

Missing campers’ accused killer Gregory Lynn set to give evidence

 

[timezone]

GL and his wife were secretly recorded watching a 60 Minutes episode about the missing campers.

A clip was played to the jury in which a journalist reported police had eliminated every vehicle that was in the Wonnangatta Valley at the time the pair vanished except for a dark blue Nissan Patrol, described as the “strongest lead” in the hunt for clues. A picture of the car and trailer the police were seeking to identify was included. Melanie Lynn commented to GL that the footage “really looked like” his car and trailer.

Days later, he was captured on a CCTV camera removing a black awning from the passenger side of his car.

Det. S/C Florence said a listening device had been placed in GL’s home and that the 60 Minutes program was aired as part of a police strategy.

He said a number of things GL told police during his interview were correct, i.e. where suspected blood spatter was found on RH’s car, how a site at Bucks Camp was set up, what he burned in the campsite fire, his path entering and leaving the valley, and where their human remains were located. He said GL answered every question asked of him and had marked maps to assist in locating where the bodies were taken to and burned. Dann asked if everything GL said was true to which Florence replied, “No”.

Missing campers’ accused killer Gregory Lynn set to give evidence

I think it was clarified that the part that was untrue was that it was a stump rather than a tree.

 

[Kemug]

And no witnesses have been called to attest to his good character and high morals. No-one. Not a single family member, friend or workmate. No one at all to say that he could never have done such a thing.

 

[JBowie]

No-one. Not a single family member, friend or workmate

Good point!

 

[SouthAussie]

And no witnesses have been called to attest to his good character and high morals. No-one. Not a single family member, friend or workmate. No one at all to say that he could never have done such a thing.

I think that happens (if it happens) at the sentencing hearing. Not during the trial.


When an accused person is sentenced after a guilty plea or being found guilty, they must attend Court for sentencing. A character reference is essential and may influence the sentence imposed by the sentencing Judge or Magistrate. During the sentencing process, the Defendant’s lawyer presents written character references to the prosecution and the Magistrate or Judge.

Character Reference for Court | Dribbin & Brown

Learn and understand the importance of a Character Reference for Court in this article with the help of Dribbin & Brown. Consult with us

www.criminalsolicitorsmelbourne.com.au

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Seems Lynn will take the stand tomorrow.

Defence council almost never advise their client to take the stand, knowing that the most likely outcome is the prosecution will tear them from limb to limb. IMO this can only be seen as an act of desperation.

 

[timezone]

Defence council almost never advise their client to take the stand, knowing that the most likely outcome is the prosecution will tear them from limb to limb. IMO this can only be seen as an act of desperation.

or as an act of confidence.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

or as an act of confidence.

If the defence were confident about how the case was going they would be even more insistent than normal that he didn't taking the stand. No, this can only be seen as an act of desperation.

 

[Eloise]

I think that happens (if it happens) at the sentencing hearing. Not during the trial.


When an accused person is sentenced after a guilty plea or being found guilty, they must attend Court for sentencing. A character reference is essential and may influence the sentence imposed by the sentencing Judge or Magistrate. During the sentencing process, the Defendant’s lawyer presents written character references to the prosecution and the Magistrate or Judge.

Character Reference for Court | Dribbin & Brown

Learn and understand the importance of a Character Reference for Court in this article with the help of Dribbin & Brown. Consult with us

www.criminalsolicitorsmelbourne.com.au

yeah its during sentencing that the court will hear about the person's background, their prospects for rehabilitation, any mental illness or cognitive issues, past traumas etc.

queensland article but I think its broadly relevant in Australia AFAIK Mitigation: How the court sets a sentence in Queensland - Clarity Law

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Tomorrow promises to be one hell of an interesting day in the Victorian Supreme court. Half tempted to pull a sickie and go but I reckon you will need to get there very early to get a seat tomorrow.

 

[emirates1957]

If the defence were confident about how the case was going they would be even more insistent than normal that he didn't taking the stand. No, this can only be seen as an act of desperation.

Off to court tomorrow to see him testify so should be interesting. I’m guessing he will be very calm, collected exercising his skills as a professional Pilot, knows how to handle himself with compliancy and under extreme pressure. Hmm bet he hasn’t experienced this in the Simulator !!

 

[emirates1957]

Spoken like someone whos never accidentally killed 2 people, IMO

Obviously we all like to think we'd do the right thing, but what we like to think about ourselves and what we actually do are often 2 very different things, especially in intense situations. I'm not excusing Lynn's actions, but I can certainly see how it's possible this happened by accident.

I've worked nightclub security for years and seen all sorts of violent incidents, I've been stabbed, ive seen colleagues and patrons stabbed and serioisly injured with all sorts of weapons and people can react very strangely when they seriously injure someone, whether its accidentally or on purpose.

Self preservation is one of our most powerful instincts.

Look I totally agree and I get self preservation. As an old aviation worker you are taught not to react, follow a check list, compliant of regulations for the best outcome. These Pilots go thru rigorous training ….and then to become a Check and Trainer with Jetstar ….and THEN to go onto Qatar in Doha as I believe as a Captain…..it just doesn’t pass the “pub test”. MOO this goes way past preservation.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I have a feeling he's not going to come across as a very likeable person.

 

[emirates1957]

I have a feeling he's not going to come across as a very likeable person.

 

[SouthAussie]

I have a feeling he's not going to come across as a very likeable person.

Which will be ironic, seeing that the defence has been trying to paint Russell as a not very likeable person.

imo

 

[emirates1957]

Indeed….however he will feel that he is a likeable person.

 

[timezone]

I have a feeling he's not going to come across as a very likeable person.

I agree.Dann is an excellent silk.. he has to have a solid reasonfor putting Lynn on the stand.Lynn won't buckle under cross examination, and I'm sure the whole purpose is to improve his image to jury.

 

[timezone]

I agree.Dann is an excellent silk.. he has to have a solid reasonfor putting Lynn on the stand.Lynn won't buckle under cross examination, and I'm sure the whole purpose is to improve his image t

 

[emirates1957]

Which will be ironic, seeing that the defence has been trying to paint Russell as a not very likeable person.

imo

Agree SA. Will be interesting.

 

[SouthAussie]

I agree.Dann is an excellent silk.. he has to have a solid reasonfor putting Lynn on the stand.Lynn won't buckle under cross examination, and I'm sure the whole purpose is to improve his image to jury.

I think the solid reason is that there is no-one else to put on the stand. Without GL, Dann would be presenting no defence at all and going straight to closing arguments.

I don't think that is a way to try to win a trial. The jury needs to hear what the defence says happened, or didn't happen, or could have happened, via witness testimony.