The jurors who will decide whether a former airline captain murdered missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay have been chosen.
Greg Lynn, 57, stood at the back of the Supreme Court in Melbourne and pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder as dozens of potential jurors were brought into the court.
Fifteen jurors were selected on Monday morning and 12 of them will ultimately decide whether Lynn is guilty or innocent of the two charges.
The group selected on Monday include three extra people as a precaution to make sure there are enough jurors by the end of the case.
If they find him not guilty of murder, the jurors can then decide whether he is guilty of manslaughter or acquit Lynn of all charges.
Justice Michael Croucher said prosecutors will allege Lynn was camping at Bucks Camp in the Wonnangatta Valley, in Victoria’s Alpine region, at the same time as the Mr Hill and Ms Clay.
“It will be alleged that Mr Lynn shot Ms Clay in the head, as a result killed her, and that Mr Lynn killed Mr Hill,“ he told the jurors.
“These events are alleged to have occurred on 20 March 2020.“
He instructed the jury to carefully consider all evidence presented to them over the four-to-six week trial, and put aside any sympathy, prejudice or bias towards Lynn or the two victims.
Justice Croucher told them not to consume any media reporting on the case and not to discuss the trial with anyone they know.
“You represent one of the most important institutions in our community, the institution of trial by jury,“ he said.
“As you heard, he has pleaded not guilty to both charges and so it falls to you and you alone to decide whether he is guilty or not guilty of those charges.“
Lawyers from the prosecutor and defence will give their opening addresses to the jury from 10.30am on Tuesday.
