This morning, a 59-year-old named Lynn appeared in the Victorian Supreme Court, seeking a bail release.

Lynn faces charges in connection with the murder of 73-year-old Carol Clay, who vanished alongside 74-year-old Russell Hill from a secluded campsite in Victoria’s northeast back in March 2020.

Prosecutors allege that Clay was fatally shot in the head with a projectile from Lynn’s firearm, according to senior crown prosecutor Mark Gibson KC, who presented the case in court today.

Gibson maintained that the prosecution possessed a robust case against Lynn, opposing the bail application.

On the other hand, Lynn’s defense attorney, Dermot Dann KC, contended that his client deserved to be granted bail, arguing that the evidence against him lacked strength.

“This case has particular challenges,” Dann asserted while being questioned by Justice David Beach, who remarked that the allegations were “terrible and shocking.”

The barrister said there were exceptional reasons to grant Lynn bail, including his difficult conditions in custody and his diagnosed heart condition for which he was awaiting surgery.

Prosecutors were also not alleging he was a risk of endangering the community, Dann said.

“He’s not suggested to be an unacceptable risk,” the barrister told the court.

“Your Honour can impose stringent conditions if there were any slight concerns.”

Conditions could include a curfew and a prohibition from attending any points of departure, Dann said.

The defence barrister said Lynn also had strong family support, with his son Geordie and wife of 22 years Melanie in attendance today.

Geordie Lynn was also willing to provide accommodation and put forward his “life savings” as a bail guarantor, the barrister argued.

Gibson argued the range of circumstances did not reach the high bar of being exceptional.

“In our case, the applicant doesn’t get to that point and bail should be refused,” he said.

Justice David Beach reserved his decision on bail to March 5.

He flagged that Lynn could face a trial as early as July.

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