The trial of an airline pilot accused of killing Melbourne campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay has been postponed so that prosecutors can complete their investigation.
On Tuesday afternoon, Gregory Stuart Lynn, 55, appeared at Sale Magistrates Court by videolink.
He is accused of murdering Mr Hill and Ms Clay in a remote Victorian alpine campground.
On March 20, the’secret lovers’ were last heard from when Mr Hill, an experienced outdoorsman, called from Wonnangatta Valley on a high-frequency radio.
Campers found Mr Hill’s car destroyed by fire at their campsite near Dry River Creek Track the following day, along with their burnt tent and some belongings.
Lynn was arrested late last year following a long-running police investigation into the case, and detectives found the bodies of Mr Hill and Ms Clay in remote bushland outside Dargo in February.
Prosecutor Angela Liantzakis on Tuesday requested a long adjournment so the prosecution could obtain more transcripts and other material.
Lynn’s lawyer Chris McLennan also sought an adjournment so Lynn could review a hard copy version of the brief in prison.
He’ll remain behind bars until the case returns to court on August 23.
The sensational delay in the case comes as the former Jetstar pilot moves to sue the budget airline over claims he was unfairly dismissed following his arrest.
Lynn has been behind bars since November of last year when he was charged with the Mr Hill, 74, and Ms Clay, 73.
Jetstar dismissed the pilot almost immediately and advised through a letter dated January 7 his employment would be terminated.
Lynn was sacked with two months pay and the unpaid leave entitlements he accumulated over the 15 years he flew with the budget airline.
‘Your present circumstances clearly prevent you from performing your role of narrow body captain,’ his former employee stated.
Transport Workers Union (TWU) secretary John Berger has accused the airline of being ‘harsh, unjust and unreasonable’ in their decision.
In a response dated January 20, the union boss said the sacking of the accused double-murderer was not proportionate to his circumstances.
‘The union asserts that procedural fairness was not observed as the decision to terminate Captain Lynn’s employment is disproportionate to the circumstances in which he finds himself,’ the letter read.
‘Captain Lynn has not been found guilty of any misconduct, he has advised Jetstar that he is on remand and therefore cannot attend at work.
‘Captain Lynn has not been convicted of any crime.’
Jetstar has responded to the claims and denied Lynn has been treated unfairly.
A spokeswoman said it was clear the former pilot is on remand pending trial and therefore will nit be able to perform his duties for a significant period of time.
‘Jetstar rejects the TWU’s claims that the response is disproportionate and lacks procedural fairness, and will oppose the unfair dismissal claim by the TWU,’ she said.