Accused murderer Greg Lynn has applied to the Victorian Supreme Court for bail while he awaits a new trial for the death of camper Carol Clay, claiming he is not an unacceptable risk and could live in strict conditions at his son’s house.
Justice David Beach has reserved his decision until March 5.
Lynn, 59, is accused of murdering Clay, 73 who vanished from a remote camping site in Victoria’s High Country in March 2020.
He was convicted of Clay’s murder at a 2024 trial and received a 32 year jail term, but his conviction was overturned by the Victorian Court of Appeal in December of last year and a retrial was ordered.
Lynn had previously been found not guilty of murdering the camping companion of Russell Hill, who was also murdered.
On Thursday, Lynn’s lawyer, Dermot Dann KC told the court that the case is exceptional due to the delays prior to any new hearing and the weight of publicity surrounding the case.
He said that Lynn has family support and a fixed address, with his son willing to provide accommodation and support bail with his savings and equity in his home.
The defence also mentioned Lynn’s conditions in prison, including periods of isolation as part of his case for release.
The prosecution did not support the application, emphasizing the seriousness of the charge and that the evidence was still sound.
Senior crown prosecutor Mark Gibson KC said that it was alleged that Clay was shot in the head by a projectile from Lynn’s gun and referred to what he said was the extreme post offence behavior.
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Justice Beach reported that a retrial might be scheduled for the second half of 2026, pending the possibility of delays although he added that any application to stay the prosecution would be addressed closer to the trial date.
Greg is currently being held in custody while the court determines whether his application for release meets the high threshold necessary in a murder trial.
