Outback Wrangler star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson evidence brief given to pilot Michael Burbidge
The director of a helicopter company allegedly connected to Outback Wrangler star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s death has been handed evidence from the crash.
Police & Courts
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‘Moving pieces’ in the investigation of Outback Wrangler star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s death has complicated legal proceedings, a court has heard.
Remote Helicopters Australia director and chief pilot Michael Keith Burbidge, 44, was allegedly part of a conspiracy to destroy evidence from the fatal helicopter crash which claimed the 34-year-old father’s life.
Willow was killed in a helicopter crash on an ill-fated crocodile egg collecting mission.
The 34-year-old’s body was found 40m from the wreckage of a Robinson R44 near the King River, West Arnhem on February 28.
The 44-year old pilot was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, making a false declaration and fabricating evidence.
Eight months after the fatal crash, Burbidge’s barrister Paul Crean told the Darwin Local Court that a “considerable” brief of evidence had been handed over.
Mr Crean said on Wednesday the prosecution had disclosed the evidence summary on November 16, including recordings.
He said the hearing was complicated by the size, scope and ongoing nature of the case.
“It’s a complex matter, it’s a conspiracy matter, there’s a number of different moving pieces,” he said.
Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris asked if the case was moving towards a resolution by moving up to the Supreme Court.
“You can have as long as you like for an adjournment to get to the point where you know what you want to do.”
“I am reluctant to adjourn things if we know we will just have to adjourn them again.”
Burbidge’s bail was continued until his next hearing on January 25, for a preliminary examination mention.
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