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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Trial begins in case of man accused of Bogie triple murder

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Darryl Valroy Young, 63, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the deaths of Maree and Mervyn Schwarz and Graham Tighe, and the attempted murder of Ross Tighe.
  • The Supreme Court trial in Townsville heard that the accused allegedly shot the victims with a firearm at a property in Bogie, north-west of Mackay, on August 4, 2022.
  • The prosecution stated that Ross Tighe, the sole survivor, will be the key witness, identifying Mr. Young as the shooter, while the defense claims Mr. Young denies seeing the victims that day.

A man accused of a triple murder and attempted murder in rural Queensland has pleaded not guilty as his trial began in Townsville. Darryl Valroy Young, 63, faces charges of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder related to a shooting incident on August 4, 2022.

The man that Ross Tighe saw wielding the rifle is the accused Darryl Valroy Young.

— David NardoneThe prosecutor outlining the case to the jury.

The Supreme Court heard that Mr. Young allegedly used a firearm to shoot Maree Schwarz, Mervyn Schwarz, and Graham Tighe in the head at a property in Bogie, north-west of Mackay. He is also accused of attempting to murder Ross Tighe during the same event.

The most important witness you will hear from in this trial is Ross Tighe, it is the evidence of Ross Tighe that you will receive first when that begins tomorrow.

— David NardoneThe prosecutor emphasizing the importance of the survivor's testimony.

Prosecutor David Nardone told the jury that Ross Tighe, the son of Graham Tighe and stepson of Maree and Mervyn Schwarz, is expected to be the most crucial witness. Mr. Nardone stated that Ross Tighe will testify that he saw Mr. Young wielding the rifle and leveling accusations before the shooting. The defense, however, indicated that Mr. Young will deny ever seeing the victims on the property on the day of the incident.

Darryl Young angrily accused Graham Tighe of selling calves that belonged to him.

— David NardoneThe prosecutor describing the alleged motive for the confrontation.

The court was also informed that the victims were visiting Graham Tighe to help with mustering cattle. The day before the incident, Mr. Young allegedly called Graham Tighe angrily, accusing him of selling calves that belonged to him. Mr. Young then reportedly asked the family to meet him at his property gate the following morning, where he continued his accusations before allegedly arming himself with a rifle.

I'll end this once and for all.

— Darryl YoungAlleged statement by the accused before the shooting, as recounted by the prosecutor.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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