Outback Wrangler Matt Wright seeking to ‘significantly shorten’ Supreme Court trial over Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s fatal chopper crash

The mystery surrounding what occurred in the horrific wake of a Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s fatal chopper crash will be examined in just three months’ time. See why a reality television star is fighting to cut down his anticipated two-month trial.

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright leaving the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory at Darwin alongside his wife Kaia and his barrister David Edwardson. Picture: Zizi Averill

A Northern Territory Netflix star who was allegedly at the centre of a conspiracy to cover up evidence following his mate’s helicopter crash death is fighting to reduce the length of his mammoth Supreme Court trial.

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright is expected to face an eight week jury trial in July after being charged with perverting the course of justice in the aftermath of a helicopter crash that killed his friend and co-star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

Mr Wilson was dangling from the chopper in a crocodile egg collecting mission over the King River in Arnhem Land, when the helicopter crashed into the paperbark swamp in February 2022.

Pilot Sebastian Robinson (L) with Chris 'Willow' Wilson.

The 34-year-old father died at the scene, while 28-year-old pilot Sebastian Robinson was left critically injured.

It has been alleged Mr Wright was not properly following the maintenance rules for his helicopters, and attempted to cover this up in the wake of the crash.

Mr Wright has previously indicated he intends to plead not guilty.

On Tuesday it was confirmed no Territorian would take a leading role in the high-profile trial, with interstate experts called in for the prosecution, defence and judgement.

The helicopter carrying Chris 'Willow' Wilson crashed in remote West Arnhem Land in February, 2022.

The former Tasmanian chief justice and recently appointed NT Supreme Court judge Alan Blow has been confirmed to oversee the trial, while Sydney-based barrister James Moore would act for the prosecution and face Mr Wright’s Adelaide-based barrister David Edwardson.

Mr Edwardson said with just three months left, the crown was yet to confirm the “parameters” of the massive trial.

“At the moment the prosecution brief is in excess of 1000 pages, and there’s a great deal of material that couldn’t possibly be relevant,” he said.

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright leaving the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory at Darwin, alongside wife Kaia and his barrister David Edwardson. Picture: Alex Treacy

Last year the court heard the witness list totalled up to 125 people, although that could be whittled down to 40.

But on Tuesday, Mr Edwardson said neither the witness list nor a potential set of agreed facts had been finalised, which could “significantly shorten the length of the trial”.

Justice Blow set another pre-trial hearing for April 17.