Key Takeaways
- Greg Lynn, a convicted murderer, had a history of breaching intervention orders and escaping police custody.
- Lynn’s former partner, Lisa, obtained intervention orders against him before her death in 1999.
- A coroner found that Lisa died from consuming a quantity of drugs and alcohol, and no one was charged in relation to her death.
- Lynn was convicted of murdering Carol Clay, 73, at a remote Victorian campsite in 2020, but was acquitted of murdering another camper, Russell Hill.
- Lynn is fighting his conviction and 32-year jail term in the Victorian court of appeal.
Introduction to the Case
Convicted high country murderer Greg Lynn has a troubled past, with a history of breaching intervention orders and escaping police custody. A suppression order that was in place since January 2023 has now lapsed, allowing the media to report on Lynn’s criminal history, including his interactions with police in relation to his first wife, Lisa, who was found dead outside her home in 1999. The order had previously prohibited media from reporting on Lynn’s past, but its lapse has shed new light on his history of violent behavior.
Lynn’s History of Violence
Lynn’s former partner, Lisa, obtained intervention orders against him before her death in 1999. On two occasions, Lynn breached these orders by attending her Mount Macedon home and having a heated phone call with her. Lisa complained to police, and Lynn was asked to return a personal organiser he had taken from the family home. However, instead of returning the organiser to police, Lynn kept walking to the train station, leading to charges of breaching the intervention order and escaping police. He pleaded guilty to these offences in the magistrates court in May 1999 and was given a good behaviour bond without conviction.
Allegations of Abuse
During a pre-trial hearing in May 2024, prosecutors alleged that Lisa Lynn was subjected to frequent physical and mental abuse at the hands of the former pilot. Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu told the court that Lynn "exploded into a fit of uncontrollable rage" when out in Macedon for dinner, targeting a man at the venue before redirecting his rage at his wife. Lisa’s mother also gave a statement about her daughter’s relationship with Lynn, saying that she believed he was responsible for her daughter’s death via "mental torture inflicted by him." She also stated that her daughter had documented numerous instances of abuse.
Lynn’s Trial and Conviction
Lynn’s barrister, Dermot Dann KC, argued that the allegations of abuse were "hearsay" and should not be permitted to be aired before the jury. The jury in Lynn’s trial was not told about his prior dealings with police, and he was ultimately convicted of murdering Carol Clay, 73, at a remote Victorian campsite in 2020. However, he was acquitted of murdering another camper, Russell Hill. Lynn has always denied murdering Clay and Hill, claiming their deaths were an accident. He is currently fighting his conviction and 32-year jail term in the Victorian court of appeal.
Conclusion and Support
The case of Greg Lynn highlights the importance of addressing domestic violence and abuse. The national family violence counselling service in Australia can be reached at 1800 737 732, while in the UK, the national domestic abuse helpline can be reached at 0808 2000 247. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org. It is essential to provide support to those affected by domestic violence and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. The lapse of the suppression order has allowed the media to shed light on Lynn’s troubled past, and it is hoped that this will raise awareness about the importance of addressing domestic violence and abuse.
