Outback Wrangler Matt Wright pleads not guilty to three charges of perverting the course of justice
The trial of Territory reality television star Matt Wright is set to begin after the Outback Wrangler entered his not guilty pleas. Read what is expected during the four-week trial here.
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A Northern Territory reality television star has officially pleaded not guilty to allegations he tried to cover up evidence in the wake of his mate’s fatal chopper crash.
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright appeared in the Supreme Court on Monday facing three allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the death of his co-star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson on February 28, 2022.
Mr Wilson was dangling from a chopper in a crocodile egg collecting mission over the King River in Arnhem Land when his Robinson R44 helicopter came crashing down.
The 34-year-old father was killed while his 28-year-old pilot Sebastian Robinson suffered critical injuries from the crash.
It is alleged that on three occasions Mr Wright engaged in actions that attempted to compromise an investigation into the chopper crash.
The first charge related to alleged behaviour just four days after his friend’s death, on March 3, the second for a 10 day period between March 3 and March 13, and the third charge for alleged actions taken between September 21 and 25, 2022.
For three years Mr Wright has continuously said he would contest the charges against him, and on Monday the 45-year-old formally entered his “not guilty” pleas.
The court room was silent as the charges against Mr Wright were read aloud, with Mr Wilson’s widow Dani Wilson sitting on one side of the courtroom, while Mr Wright’s supporters including his wife Kaia watched from another.
With just two days left until the jury is selected, Prosecutor Jason Gullaci told Acting Justice Alan Blow the agreed facts were almost complete.
“99.5 per cent is settled… there’s a bit of room around the edges,” Mr Gullaci said.
It is estimated the high profile celebrity trial will run for four weeks and call upon 25 witnesses.
Mr Wright rose to fame more than a decade ago when his reality TV series Outback Wrangler was first screened by the National Geographic Channel.
After four seasons over six years the ‘Outback Wrangler’ signed a 10-episode deal with the Nine Network and Netflix for a new series, Wild Croc Territory.
The Netflix series launched just before charges were laid against Mr Wright in November, 2022.
The day before his Supreme Court appearance, Mr Wright announced on Instagram the entire Outback Wrangler series would be available on Apple TV.
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Originally published as Outback Wrangler Matt Wright pleads not guilty to three charges of perverting the course of justice
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