Outback Wrangler Matt Wright's high-profile conspiracy trial nearly ‘aborted' following ‘unfair' A Current Affair episode
The Aussie reality television star has pleaded not guilty to three allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice, following the chopper crash death of his mate and co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson three years ago.
It took two hours for a jury pool of 107 Territorians to be whittled down into the final team of 12 jurors and two reservists on Tuesday.
However overnight that careful selection process was put in jeopardy following the episode by A Current Affair.
On Wednesday Justice Alan Blow ripped into the Channel Nine segment which he said threatened to 'abort' the high-profile celebrity trial.
'It was a piece of journalism that was aimed to suggest that Mr Wright is guilty of something — and that's not what TV journalists should be doing,' Justice Blow said.
'It's very important that Mr Wright gets a fair trial and watching that program could interfere with his right to a fair trial.'
Justice Blow told the 12-person jury and two reservists that the program published a 'stale' witness list and a photo from the fatal helicopter crash site.
'This isn't a case about why the helicopter crashed,' he told the jury.
'It's not suggested that Mr Wright was responsible, in any way, for the crashing of the helicopter.
'If you watched the program, you might get the impression that he was responsible, and that he was guilty of something and that he's headed to jail for it.
'It was quite unfair and it created a danger of this trial having to be aborted.'
Only one juror out of the 14 members said he had watched the segment.
Under questioning from Justice Blow, the juror said he would be able to remain impartial, and had not discussed the ACA show with any of his fellow jurors.
Justice Blow then warned the remaining 13 Territorians to not try and access the program played on Tuesday night.
'It's an excellent example of what I told you not to do yesterday,' he said.
'Please don't try to find out about that program.'
Both prosecutor Jason Gullaci and Defence senior counsel David Edwardson said they were comfortable with the current jury continuing.
The trial continues.
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an hour ago
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