Matt Wright’s chopper crash conspiracy trial hit with fresh delays

Fresh delays have hit the court case of the Territory’s Outback Wrangler, with the reality television star failing to secure a trial date in the Supreme Court. Here’s why.

Matt Wright’s legal team appeared before Darwin Supreme Court registrar Renata Blanch on Thursday, who adjourned the hearing for two months for another call-over listing. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Fresh delays have hit the Territory’s Outback Wrangler with the reality television star failing to secure a trial date in the Supreme Court.

Matt Wright’s legal team appeared before Darwin Supreme Court registrar Renata Blanch on Thursday, who adjourned the hearing for two months for another call-over listing.

The call-over hearing was hoped to set a trial date for the high profile Territorian, who is accused of taking part in a conspiracy to cover-up evidence in the wake of the fatal chopper crash which killed his mate Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

Mr Wilson was part of a six-man team on a crocodile egg collecting mission over the King River in West Arnhem land when they crashed into a paperbark swamp on February 28.

The crash also seriously injured 28-year-old pilot Sebastian Robinson, but there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mr Robinson.

The high profile Territorian is accused of taking part in a conspiracy to cover-up evidence in the wake of the fatal chopper crash which killed his mate Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Wright is expected to face a Supreme Court trial over one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Another six charges — including menacing or intimidating chopper pilot Sebastian Robinson, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, two counts of unlawful entry and one count of making a false declaration — will remain in the Darwin Local Court pending the trial’s outcome.

Amid more than 50 other cases also seeking trial dates, Ms Blanch told the court that she only had 11 trial date blocks left for the first half of 2024.

The reality television star’s bail was extended until his next hearing on March 14.

Originally published as Matt Wright’s chopper crash conspiracy trial hit with fresh delays