National

Outback Wrangler sends cops on 'fishing expedition'

By AAP Newswire

Oct 24, 2024

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright has been accused of sending police on a fishing expedition for evidence he wants from them to defend a criminal case.

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The Netflix television series celebrity pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice following the helicopter crash that killed co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson in 2022.

Sitting in the Supreme Court on Thursday, Wright heard Nothern Territory Police ask for an extension of time for evidence being subpoenaed in the case.

Appearing for the NT police commissioner, solicitor Ruth Brebner said the evidence was still being prepared but was unsure if her client could meet the October 30 deadline.

She told the court police were preparing the documents but had queried the relevance of evidence pertaining to the "cause of the crash ".

Ms Brebner said police were being sent on a "fishing expedition" for some of the evidence.

"We don't have a legitimate, forensic purpose ... in relation to the telephones, these oppressive materials are huge," she said.

Police were granted an extension by Chief Justice Michael Grant.

Wright is excused from appearing at another pre-trial hearing set for November 14, with his eight-week trial due to begin on July 7, 2025.