Outback Wrangler Matt Wright announces his next move following the helicopter crash that killed his best friend Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson
- Netflix star pleads not guilty to perverting the course of justice
- Trial will not start until 2025
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright’s lawyer has told the High Court that Wright will not plead guilty to attempted obstruction of justice after his friend and co-star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson died in a helicopter crash in 2022.
Wright’s attorney Frank Marenda told the court Thursday that prosecutors have been formally notified of the intended plea and that the case is now “ready to go to trial.”
The news from the Northern Territory reported After consultation between his attorneys and prosecutor Steve Ledek, Mr. Marenda estimated the trial would last three months and was expected to begin in the second half of 2025.
“Of course we will continue to discuss, but ultimately this case will go to court,” he said.
In December of last year, Wright was due to stand trial on a charge of attempted obstruction of justice, with six other charges pending in court.
The charge of attempted obstruction of justice relates to circumstances that allegedly occurred after the helicopter crash in West Arnhem Land in which Mr Wilson was killed and pilot Sebastian Robinson was seriously injured.
The other charges include threatening or intimidating helicopter pilot Sebastian Robinson, making a false statement, falsifying evidence, destroying evidence and two counts of unlawful entry.
Mr Marenda requested that the matter be placed on the agenda for a management hearing, saying there were still “controversial points of law” to be decided “regarding the admissibility of certain evidence”.
Netflix star Matt Wright’s trial expected to last up to three months
The trial could possibly be delayed until 2026, as Judge Vince Luppino said there was no judge who had three months to do so.
“I will have to do some research and possibly make special arrangements for such a long period of time, so I will therefore postpone the matter,” he said.
“I think eventually someone from the sheriff’s office will contact you and Mr. Ledek to see what we can agree on and what might also be good for the court.”
“But as I said, I suspect the court will have to make special arrangements for that anyway.”
More to come.
