US EditionFamous croc wrangler urged friends to 'torch' evidence, trial hears
ARNHEM LAND, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA, AUG 7 – Matt Wright faces charges of tampering with evidence and pressuring a witness following a fatal helicopter crash during a crocodile-egg mission, with trial expected to last five weeks.
- On Friday, the Northern Territory Supreme Court in Darwin heard prosecutors allege that Matt Wright, Australian crocodile wrangler and reality TV star, urged friends to 'torch' evidence and pressured a hospitalised witness over the 2022 helicopter crash.
- The crown case contends Jason Gullaci SC said prosecutors claim systemic under-recording of helicopter flight hours and Wright feared investigators would uncover it, prompting log tampering.
- Showing transcripts, prosecutors said secret recordings contained a 'critical passage' where Wright ordered an associate to 'just torch' the maintenance release.
- The trial, expected to last up to five weeks, continues as Wright has pleaded not guilty and denies tampering with evidence.
- On Friday, the jury will hear from bush helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge, who was first on scene in a paperbark swamp after contact was lost.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Croc Wrangler On Trial For Instructing Friends To Burn Evidence
Did Aussie TV personality Matt Wright try to cover his tracks after a fatal helicopter crash?Prosecutors say yes. The famed crocodile wrangler—best known for Outback Wrangler and Wild Croc Territory—is now on trial. He is allegedly trying to pervert the course of justice.This follows a 2022 crash that killed his co-star Chris “Willow” Wilson and seriously injured pilot Sebastian Robinson.Wright wasn’t in the chopper, but he was among the first o…
Court hears covert recording of TV star Matt Wright allegedly asking friend to destroy evidence
The criminal trial of celebrity crocodile wrangler Matthew Wright has heard the TV star allegedly instructed a friend to destroy maintenance records of a helicopter, which was involved in a fatal crash three years ago. Wright's defence counsel today saying secret audio recordings of Mr Wight are 'extremely poor' while doubting the credibility of key witnesses. Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course…
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