Jurors tasked with deciding whether Greg Lynn killed two campers asked what would happen if they couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict.
Lynn told the jury that the two deaths were accidental and occurred after he struggled with a gun and then a knife with Hill.
He claimed that Clay died when a shotgun went off and went into her head during the first fight, and that Hill died when he came at Lynn with a knife and was stabbed in the chest.
The 12-person jury began deliberating June 17 and returned to court Monday morning with several questions.
Judge Michael Croucher read the jury’s note to the court asking if Lynn should be found guilty of both counts of murder or not guilty of both counts.
He said that was not right, explaining that they could find him guilty of one murder and not guilty of the other death.
“You have to look at each charge individually,” Croucher said.
The judge reiterated that jurors must be satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond a reasonable doubt four elements of murder in order to convict him.
The second part of their question was to ask Croucher to reiterate what happens if they fail to reach a unanimous verdict.
“All 12 of you must agree to this sentence,” he said.
For a defendant to be found guilty or not guilty of murder, the verdict must be unanimous, meaning that every juror agrees.
If not, the jury may be impaneled and a new trial may be ordered.
Croucher sent the jury to continue their deliberations and reminded them if they had any further questions, “please feel free to ask them.”