A new trial will begin next week for a pilot accused of the double murder of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay, after the first jury was discharged minutes before openings.

Greg Lynn, 57, pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and a jury was empanelled in Melbourne’s Supreme Court on Thursday.

He is accused of killing Hill, 74, and Clay, 73, at a campsite in the Wonnangatta Valley in March 2020.

Lawyers from both sides were due to open their cases on Friday morning.

However, Justice Michael Croucher informed the 12 jurors and two substitutes that an issue had arisen that meant they would have to be discharged.

“It’s unfortunate you’re only going to be here for a short time,” he told them.

“It’s my melancholy duty to explain to you that you have now been discharged as a jury.

“I’m not going on to go into the details now, I don’t want to embarrass anyone … it’s just technical reasons.”

He thanked the jurors for putting their hands up for jury service and “being prepared to undertake this vital role in the criminal justice system”, as he excused them.

A new panel of jurors will be selected on Monday, with trial openings expected to begin on Tuesday morning.

Lynn’s wife Melanie and one of his sons were at court on Friday and waved at him from the public gallery.

Family of Clay and Hill were also there..

The trial is expected to last for four-six weeks.

– AAP