Outback Wrangler Matt Wright announces his next move over the helicopter crash that claimed the life of his best mate Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson

The barrister for Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright has told the Supreme Court that Wright will plead not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice after a helicopter crash killed his friend and co-star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson in 2022.

Wright’s barrister Frank Marenda told the court on Thursday prosecutors have been formally notified of the intended plea and the case was now ‘ready to be set for trial’. 

The Northern Territory News reported after discussions between his instructing solicitors and Crown prosecutor Steve Ledek, Mr Marenda estimated the trial would last for three months and is due to start in the latter half of 2025. 

‘Of course we’ll continue to confer but the position is, ultimately, that this matter will go to trial,’ he said. 

In December last year, Wright was committed to stand trial on the single charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, with an additional six charges remaining before the Local Court. 

Mr Marenda asked for the case to be listed for a management hearing and said there were still ‘contested points of law’ to be determined ‘relating to the admissibility of some evidence’.

The trial could potentially be pushed out until 2026, as Associate Justice Vince Luppino said there wasn’t a judge who had three months available.

‘I’m going to have to make some inquiries and possibly special arrangements for that sort of duration so I’ll adjourn the matter for that purpose,’ he said. 

More to come.