
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright is supported by his wife as he enters plea over helicopter crash that killed his co-star
The reality TV star was charged following the crash that killed co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson in February 2022.
Wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans, Wright appeared calm when he fronted the Supreme Court in Darwin on Monday.
He entered not guilty pleas for three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice when he was arraigned, kissing his wife during an adjournment.
The 2022 crash in remote West Arnhem Land killed Mr Wilson, with pilot Sebastian Robinson also seriously injured.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday and is expected to take four weeks, hearing from about 25 witnesses.
Wright rose to fame starring in National Geographic's Outback Wrangler and Netflix series Wild Croc Territory.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The VERY glamorous wives and girlfriends supporting their men at the celebrity trial of Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright - as he is finally set to face court over the tragic death of his Netflix co-star collecting croc eggs
The wives and girlfriends of the key figures in the trial of Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright over the death of his best mate are set to create a glamorous sideshow at court. Chris 'Willow' Wilson died on a crocodile egg-collecting mission as he dangled beneath a helicopter which crashed in remote swamps in the Northern Territory. Netflix star Wright, 45, turned up at the Darwin courthouse on Wednesday with his wife Kaia by his side as the trial heard further legal argument ahead of it opening. Sebastian Robinson, 28, who was piloting the chopper and suffered life-changing injuries, is expected to arrive at court in a wheelchair with his blonde girlfriend. Wilson's widow Dani attended court earlier this week, but has now been granted permission to watch the proceedings remotely. Wright's chief helicopter pilot, Michael Keith Burbidge, is also expected to attend with his wife, Jade Burbidge, when he appears as a witness. Former reality television star and Tourism Australia ambassador Wright is charged over his alleged actions following the fatal accident in February 2022. He owned and operated the Robinson R44 helicopter involved in the crocodile egg-collecting mission in West Arnhem Land, which crashed into a paperbark swamp. Witnesses in the looming trial will include the pilots, as well as fellow TV crew members, major Top End business figures and crocodile egg collectors. Following multiple delays, jury selection was due to begin on Wednesday in the Northern Territory Supreme Court in Darwin before Acting Justice Alan Blow. However, ongoing legal arguments caused another delay, and the jury will now not be empanelled until next Tuesday. Justice Blow announced on Wednesday he is now unwilling to start the jury process until after the long weekend, as Monday is a local public holiday in Darwin. Wright and wife Kaia attended court on Monday, when he entered pleas of not guilty to all charges, and has since returned to court on Tuesday and Wednesday. The charges concern Wright's alleged actions during the seven months following the catastrophic accident. Wright appeared alongside Wilson, a father of two, in the Netflix series Wild Croc Territory, after gaining fame in National Geographic's Outback Wrangler from 2011 to 2019. Pilot Seb Robinson is expected to testify over several days, along with his mother, Noelene Chillingham, and Darwin crocodile farm owner Mick Burns, who had contracted the chopper at the time of the crash. Trial judge Acting Justice Alan Blow announced on Wednesday he is now unwilling to start the jury process until after the long weekend, as Monday is local public holiday in Darwin It is alleged Wright was not properly following the maintenance rules for his helicopters, and attempted to cover this up in the wake of the crash. It will be alleged the offences occurred between March 3 and September 25 2022 in Darwin and elsewhere. Wright is defended by leading Adelaide silk, David Edwardson KC and barrister Luke Officer. Prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC will call up to 25 witnesses during the trial which is expected to take four weeks.


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BBC News
18 hours ago
- BBC News
Man denies murder over stepmother's death in Bradford
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