Attorneys for Outback Wrangler star, Matt Wright, have criticized a law enforcement officer involved in probing the helicopter accident that tragically claimed the life of Wright’s close friend. This officer now faces attention for remarks made during a TV interview concerning Wright and his spouse.
In August, a Supreme Court jury in Darwin found Wright guilty on two counts of attempting to obstruct justice, following a trial that spanned four weeks.
Wright was accused of attempting to conceal evidence related to the crash in February 2022. The incident resulted in the death of his co-star, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, and left pilot Sebastian Robinson paralyzed.
The duo was engaged in a crocodile egg collection expedition in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. During the operation, Wilson was suspended on a 30-meter line beneath the helicopter to access crocodile nests in isolated swamps.
An investigation by the Air Transport Safety Bureau determined that the helicopter ran out of fuel, leading to engine failure and the subsequent crash.
Wright was convicted of providing false statements to crash investigators about the helicopter’s fuel levels and attempting to coerce Robinson into falsifying flight records.
Wright gave an emotional statement after his conviction, confirming at the time that an appeal was underway. A hearing is expected to be held in December.
But his lawyer, Anthony Jefferies, has since claimed Detective Senior Sergeant Corey Borton made ‘potentially defamatory statements’ that may prejudice Wright’s appeal, news.com.au reported on Friday.
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright (pictured with wife Kaia) was found guilty of two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. he’s appealing the conviction
Wright’s lawyer has since claimed Detective Senior Sergeant Corey Borton (pictured), made ‘potentially defamatory statements’ about the star and his wife in a television interview
In an interview with the 7NEWS Spotlight program on September 28, Det Snr Sgt Borton made comments about Wright and his wife Kaia travelling to Queensland.
It’s understood the couple had relocated to the state for six months due to complications with Kaia’s second pregnancy.
‘I suspect that he (Mr Wright) knew something was afoot, given his, you know, impulsive move to Queensland,’ the detective said.
He claimed: ‘Certainly, they knew that police were certainly a lot more involved than what they originally had thought in the investigation.
‘So, perhaps there was opportunity there for Wright to distance himself from the Northern Territory and to give himself some breathing space.’
The detective also made comments about the helicopter itself, claiming it was ‘not… serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions’.
But in a letter to NT Police, seen by News Corp, Mr Jefferies said the comments regarding the aircraft were ‘highly unprofessional and defamatory’.
The lawyer also addressed the Wrights’ relocation interview.
‘Officers undoubtedly knew at the time, the Wright family’s travel to Queensland was planned prior to the accident that caused the death of Mr Wilson,’ Mr Jefferies added.
NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole said the complaint about Det Snr Sgt Borton’s comments about Wright and his wife (both pictured during the trial) were referred for review
The detective also made comments about the helicopter involved in the February 2022 fatal crash, claiming it was ‘not… serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions’
‘Mrs Wright was at the time pregnant with her second child and suffering from endometriosis,’ he said.
‘The decision to relocate to Queensland had been made solely to be in proximity to her obstetrician given the potential complications with her pregnancy.’
He added that linking the trip to the court case when it was for Mrs Wright’s specialist medical care was ‘highly prejudicial and unbecoming of a police officer’.
Mr Jefferies also claimed that the detective displayed ‘unfounded personal assumptions rather than any factual evidence’ and painted his client in a ‘negative light’.
Later in the program, Sgt Borton claimed that Wright proactively offered to make himself available to NT Police at any time.
The Daily Mail has contacted NT Police for comment regarding Det Snr Sgt Borton.
Commissioner Martin Dole confirmed to news.com.au that the ‘complaint regarding the comments has now been referred to the Professional Standards Command for review’.
‘If there is a finding of breach, it will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant procedures,’ he said.
The matter remains under investigation, with no findings yet made.
In relation to the investigation into the comments, a NT Police spokesman said ‘complaints or concerns related to the conduct of NTPF members are dealt with in accordance with our internal procedures, ensuring transparency and accountability’.
‘In the interests of natural justice, any receipt of allegations and complaints alone prior to any preliminary investigation being completed will not be released to the public unless there is an immediate concern for public safety,’ he said.
