UPDATE: Jurors in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright are being instructed to suppress their emotions as they deliberate on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice following a deadly helicopter crash. The trial, taking place in the Supreme Court in Darwin, centers around the July 2022 incident that claimed the life of Wright’s co-star, Chris Wilson, and left pilot Sebastian Robinson with severe injuries.
Crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC emphasized the emotional toll of the crash on those involved, including Wright and his wife, Kaia, whose visible grief was noted in court. Gullaci reminded jurors, “You have to act like judges… you have to park those feelings.” The prosecution alleges that Wright attempted to conceal evidence related to the crash, including the disconnection of flight-hour meters on his helicopters, which would allow the aircraft to exceed maintenance thresholds.
Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Prosecutors assert that he was concerned investigators would discover discrepancies in flight records, suggesting that paperwork was falsified to hide these issues. Notably, the charges do not implicate Wright in the actual crash or the resulting fatalities.
The case has drawn significant media attention, but Gullaci urged jurors to focus solely on the evidence presented in court, stating, “The fact he’s a Netflix star has got nothing to do with you deciding this case.” He highlighted the defense’s attempts to undermine Robinson’s credibility by questioning his drug use and alleged failure to refuel the helicopter, calling these claims “total furphies” in regard to the perversion of justice charges.
Gullaci painted a picture of systemic misconduct, alleging Robinson was involved in multiple illegal activities, including the tampering of flight records and drug trafficking. In a secretly recorded conversation, Wright reportedly expressed concern that the flying hours on the crashed helicopter exceeded the 2,200-hour threshold for expensive maintenance. “This is one of the things he didn’t want uncovered,” Gullaci remarked.
Addressing Robinson’s cocaine use, the prosecutor clarified that while trace amounts were found in his system, it was not sufficient to impair his flying ability. “You could never conclude it impaired his ability to fly or that it was a cause of the accident,” he stated. Evidence presented indicated that the helicopter was well-fueled before the tragedy, with photographs showing fuel gauges at approximately three-quarters full.
As this high-profile case unfolds, the jury’s decision will have significant implications not only for Wright but also for broader issues of accountability in aviation safety. The trial is expected to continue under Acting Justice Allan Blow, with more developments anticipated in the coming days.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on this unfolding story.
