A prominent TV journalist has been embroiled in a wild scuffle outside court after Outback Wrangler Matt Wright went on trial on charges over the helicopter crash that killed his co-star and best friend.
Wright, along with fellow co-suspects Michael Burbidge and Neil Mellon, faced a hearing in Darwin on Thursday charged with obstructing the investigation into the crash that killed Chris 'Willow' Wilson in February 2022.
Wright was due to stand trial early the next year as Burbidge and Mellon admitted to destroying evidence in the aftermath of the fatal crash. They are not charged in connection with causing the crash itself.
The hearing's outcomes led to heated scenes outside the court, where A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall was caught in the middle of the action.
Wright and helicopter pilot Burbidge ignored a barrage of questions from Marshall and other journalists as they stormed through the media storm with their wives.
Former police officer Mellon was supported by former NT senator Nigel Scullion as the pair were confronted by Marshall as they left court.
Former NT senator Nigel Scullion (left) was involved in a fiery encounter with A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall as he left court
“Did you get a hold of Matt Wright?” Marshall asked.
“You fought the law and the law won?”
Another reporter asked, “You were supposed to enforce the law, why did you break it?”
Television cameras captured Mr Scullion reacting angrily to Marshall's questioning by pushing the reporter against the closed door of a car.
Marshall threw his hands in the air and shouted, “Hey!” while the former minister taunted his response to the push.
A large contingent of media had traveled to Top End to cover the hearings, which were initially scheduled to take place over two days.
A cheerful Wright greeted the waiting media pack warmly with “good morning guys” as he arrived at the court hand in hand with his wife Kaia and smiled politely without commenting further.
But that's where the niceties ended.
Matt Wright (pictured leaving court) was due to stand trial early next year
Steve Marshall had a lot of questions for former NT cop Neil Mellon, leading to a scuffle with former NT senator Nigel Scullion
Wright was reportedly later overheard calling reporters in court “damn maggots.” A current issue reported.
He later made his way through the media pack as he left the court hand-in-hand with his wife, causing reporters and cameramen to trip over handbags and backpacks that had been set aside.
Burbidge was also bombarded with questions from Marshall when he arrived with his wife Jade.
Matt Wright said, 'Good morning. Is it a good morning for you?' Marshall asked.
Burbidge later received a hug from Wright's wife in the courtroom.
Former NT Senator Nigel Scullion (in green shirt) was at court to support former senior NT police officer Neil Mellon (right)
Chris 'Willow' Wilson (pictured) plunged to his death in a remote area of the Northern Territory
Deputy Chief Judge Tanya Fong Lim found there was sufficient evidence to bring Wright to trial on a charge of attempted perverting the course of justice, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
“One of the seven charges was filed today for a hearing for next year,” Wright said in a statement released afterward.
“The remaining charges will remain pending resolution of the charge now before the Supreme Court.
“I am hopeful that the remaining charges will all be dropped once this charge is resolved next year.”
Matt Wright was overheard calling reporters in court “fucking maggots.”