Croc wrangler Matt Wright pleads not guilty
Samantha Dick: Hi Andy. Well, Matt Wright is the star and host of popular Netflix series Wild Croc Territory and TV show Outback Wrangler, where he offers a glimpse into the world of crocodile wrangling in the Outback Northern Territory. Three years ago, that all changed when a crocodile egg collecting mission went horribly wrong. A helicopter carrying Mr. Wright's co-host and friend Chris Willow Wilson crashed in a remote part of Arnhem Land, about 500 kilometres from Darwin, killing Mr. Wilson and seriously injuring pilot Sebastian Robinson. The tragic incident, it shocked the Northern Territory and devastated Mr. Wilson's wife and two young kids, but it's really what came next that is the focus of this Supreme Court trial. Matt Wright is facing three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice over his alleged behaviour in the aftermath of Mr. Wilson's death. Details of the exact allegations won't be revealed until later in the week in Corsh, but attempting to pervert the course of justice, it's a serious criminal offence and it can include things like influencing witnesses or providing false information to authorities. It also carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
Andy Park: And what's the court heard today?
Samantha Dick: Well, today, for the first time in months, Matt Wright attended court in person. So, we were waiting outside the Supreme Court of the NT up here in Darwin with a bunch of other journalists from around Australia. Matt Wright appeared, he entered the court, he was flanked by his wife and his lawyers. In court this morning, Mr. Wright was given the opportunity to formally enter a plea. He pleaded not guilty to all three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. This is not really surprising because Mr. Wright has previously denied any wrongdoing, but today really was the first opportunity for him to formally enter his pleas of not guilty. The trial is expected to run for at least three weeks. At the moment in court, lawyers are just having some further legal argument, ironing out a few things before court resumes this afternoon.
Andy Park: What's expected in this case as we see it play out in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory?
Samantha Dick: The case is really going to get going later on in the week. So, on Wednesday, a jury is due to be empanelled. And on Thursday, we're going to start hearing some evidence. So, that's when we'll be hearing a lot more information about the actual details of the case, and we'll be hearing from witnesses in the courtroom.
Andy Park: In the Northern Territory, reporter Samantha Dick.
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