Outback Wrangler Matt Wright caught up in explosive scenes outside court as he is committed to stand trial: 'F***ing maggots'

A prominent TV journalist has been embroiled in a wild scuffle outside court after Outback Wrangler Matt Wright was committed to stand trial on charges relating to the helicopter crash that killed his co-star and best mate.

Wright, along fellow co-accused Michael Burbidge and Neil Mellon, faced a committal hearing in Darwin on Thursday accused of obstructing the investigation into the crash that killed Chris 'Willow' Wilson in February 2022.

Wright was committed to stand trial early 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 outcomes sparked heated scenes outside court where A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall was in the thick of the action.

Wright and helicopter pilot Burbidge ignored a barrage of questions from Marshall and other journalists as they barged though the media scrum with their wives.

Former policeman Mellon was supported by former NT Senator Nigel Scullion when the pair were confronted by Marshall as they left court.

'Have you rolled on Matt Wright?' Marshall asked.

'Did you fight the law and the law won?'

Another reporter asked: 'You were meant to be upholding the law, why did you break it?'

Television cameras captured Mr Scullion angrily reacting to Marshall's questioning by pushing the reporter into the closed door of a car.

Marshall threw his hands up in the air and yelled, 'Hey!' as the one-time minister taunted his reaction to the shove.

A large contingent of media had travelled to the Top End to cover the court hearings which were initially scheduled to be heard over two days.

An upbeat Wright warmly greeted the waiting media pack 'good morning guys ' as he arrived at court hand-in-hand with his wife Kaia and politely smiled without providing any further comment.

But that's where the niceties ended.  

Wright was reportedly later overheard calling journalists 'f***ing maggots' inside the courtroom, A Current Affair reported.

He later barged his way through the media pack as he left court hand in hand with his wife, causing journalists and cameramen to stumble over handbags and backpacks 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.

Deputy Chief Judge Tanya Fong Lim found there was enough evidence to place Wright on trial for the charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 15 years.

'One of the seven charges was today committed to trial for next year,' Wright said in a statement released afterwards.

'The other charges will remain, pending resolution of the charge now before the Supreme Court.

'I’m hopeful the remaining charges will all be withdrawn once this charge is dealt with next year.'