The trial of Darryl Valroy Young, 63, accused of murdering three people and attempting to murder another on a rural Queensland cattle property, commenced on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the Supreme Court in Townsville.

Young faces three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder related to a shooting incident on August 4, 2022, in the north Queensland community of Bogie, northwest of Mackay. The victims were Mervyn Schwarz, Maree Schwarz, and Graham Tighe, all shot in the head with a firearm. Ross Tighe was also shot but survived and is the key witness in the trial.

According to court proceedings, Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz and Ross Tighe had been visiting Graham Tighe at Sutherland Station in August 2022 to assist with mustering cattle. On August 3, 2022, Graham Tighe received a call from his neighbour, Darryl Young. Jurors will be presented with photos from trail cameras at the gate of Young's property, which Ross Tighe reported missing on the day of the shooting.

The prosecution highlighted that Young and his neighbours had collaboratively reinstated eight kilometres of fence line between their properties weeks before the incident. During the trial, it was revealed that Young had angrily accused Graham Tighe of selling calves that belonged to him. Witness Ross Tighe identified Young as the man wielding the rifle during the shooting.

Young has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial is expected to last three weeks.

Notable Quotes

  • "The man that Ross Tighe saw wielding the rifle is the accused Darryl Valroy Young,"
  • "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."
  • "Darryl Young angrily accused Graham Tighe of selling calves that belonged to him."
  • "The accused Darryl Young walked back to his ute and said something like, 'I'll end this once and for all'."
  • "You will be asked to infer that the trail cameras usually at that gate were taken down hours before the killing."

Sources