Accused murderer Greg Lynn is not an unacceptable risk to the community, his lawyers have argued as he makes a bid for freedom.
Lynn, 59, formerly of Caroline Springs, sat staring forward as he made the application for bail in the Victorian Supreme Court on Thursday 26 February.
He is charged with the murder of Carol Clay, 73, who went missing with Russell Hill, 74, from a remote campsite in Victoria’s northeast in March 2020.
It’s alleged Ms Clay was shot in the head by a projectile from Lynn’s gun, senior crown prosecutor Mark Gibson KC told the court on Thursday.
Mr Gibson argued the prosecution case against Lynn was quite strong as he opposed the application for bail.
But Lynn’s barrister Dermot Dann KC told the court his client should be released, arguing the case against him was weak.
“This is a case with particular problems,“ Mr Dann said.
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, Mr 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, Mr Dann said.
The defence barrister said Lynn also had strong family support, with his son Geordie and wife of 22 years Melanie in attendance on Thursday.
Geordie Lynn was also willing to provide accommodation and put forward his “life savings“ as a bail guarantor, the barrister argued.
Mr 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 noted the allegations were “terrible and shocking“ as he reserved his decision on bail to March 5.
He flagged that Lynn could face a trial as early as July.
