UPDATE: Jurors in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright have been instructed to park their emotions as they deliberate on serious charges following a tragic helicopter crash. The Outback Wrangler faces allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice after the fatal incident in July 2022 that killed his co-star Chris “Willow” Wilson and left pilot Sebastian Robinson paralyzed.
In a dramatic session at the Supreme Court in Darwin on Tuesday, Crown Prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC emphasized the importance of impartiality. “You have to act like judges … you have to park those feelings,” he told the jury, acknowledging the emotional weight of the case.
The prosecution claims Wright attempted to conceal evidence regarding his helicopter’s operational hours, which were allegedly manipulated beyond legal limits. “This is one of the things he didn’t want uncovered,” Gullaci stated, highlighting that investigators were misled about the helicopter’s flying-hour meters.
Gullaci noted that while the tragic crash affected many, including Wright and his wife Kaia, the jurors must focus solely on the evidence. “None of these were crocodile tears, they were genuine,” he asserted, as he outlined the emotional fallout from the incident.
Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to obstruct justice. The charges, however, do not implicate him in the crash itself or the deaths and injuries that resulted. “The fact he’s a Netflix star has got nothing to do with you deciding this case,” Gullaci added, underscoring the need for jurors to remain objective amidst extensive media coverage.
Attention has also been drawn to Robinson’s background. Gullaci described a “massive, full-frontal credit attack” mounted by the defense, which sought to discredit Robinson by focusing on his alleged cocaine use and questions about whether he forgot to refuel the helicopter. However, Gullaci dismissed these arguments as “total furphies” when determining the charges against Wright.
Evidence presented in court suggested that Robinson was involved in illicit activities, including tampering with flight records. In a secretly recorded conversation, Wright reportedly indicated that the flying hours on the crashed helicopter were likely over the 2,200-hour threshold for mandatory overhauls.
“Chris Wilson lost his life that day, leaving a wife and young family,” Gullaci reminded the jury, reinforcing the human tragedy at the heart of the case.
Medical experts have testified that trace amounts of cocaine found in Robinson’s system post-crash would not have impaired his ability to fly. Gullaci clarified, “You could never conclude it impaired his ability to fly or that it was a cause of the accident.” He pointed to evidence from croc-egg collector Tim Luck, who confirmed that the helicopter was filled shortly before the crash.
Photographic evidence indicated that fuel levels were adequate at the time of the crash, contradicting claims that low fuel was a factor. The trial, presided over by Acting Justice Allan Blow, will continue as jurors sift through the complex details surrounding this high-profile case.
This developing story is garnering intense public interest, with the outcome potentially impacting both Wright’s career and the lives of those affected by the tragedy. As the court proceedings unfold, all eyes remain on the jury’s crucial decision.
