05 Croc Wrangler | Secret recordings and tapped phone calls

Covert recordings of croc wrangler Matt Wright allegedly discussing the destruction of a helicopter maintenance document have been played to the court as his trial nears its end.

In this episode reporter Olivana Lathouris joins Stephen Stockwell to talk through the key moments of these recordings and the next stages as the prosecution closes its case against Matt Wright.

If you have any questions you'd like Oli and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

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It's the trial everyone in Darwin is talking about. In February 2022 a helicopter on a crocodile egg collection mission crashed in remote Arnhem Land, killing the egg collector and paralysing the pilot.

NT Croc Wrangler Matt Wright isn't on trial for the crash, but for what allegedly he did after. Charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, prosecutors say he tried to interfere with the investigation.

Matt Wright has pled not guilty and denies all the allegations.

To hear the background of this story, listen to our episode introducing the case of the croc wrangler.

You can also check out this article from ABC News, which breaks down the key players, charges and evidence so far.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit ABC podcast Mushroom Case Daily. The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system. 

We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention