Case against murder accused Darryl Valroy Young adjourned
Loved ones of three people allegedly gunned down have spoken out about the shock killings, as a legal fight over important case materials kicks up.
Police & Courts
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Loved ones of three family members who were allegedly shot dead over a property dispute with a neighbour say they want justice.
“It’s important to be here because we’re here in support of the three innocent people (who were allegedly) cold bloodedly murdered,” a supporter of Mervyn and Maree Schwarz said outside of Bowen courthouse.
Murder-accused Darryl Valroy Young, 59, had just appeared via videolink for his fourth mention in the magistrates court where his lawyer pushed for court-ordered directions for outstanding case material linked to the triple homicide.
But prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors said, “it’s not the case that police are sitting on their hands”.
Mr Young is charged with the execution-style murders of Mervin, 70, Maree, 59 and Maree’s son Graham Tighe, 35 after they were allegedly gunned down with a rifle at close range at Bogie, west of Bowen, on August 4, 2022.
“Everyone’s still in shock over what happened,” the man said.
He was with a group who said they were “very close” family members.
“It would be nice to see justice.”
Three supporters for Mr Young were also in court for the short court mention on Tuesday.
Police allege Mr Young had invited the Schwarz family, who were his neighbours, for a chat about a dispute over their property borderline and unbranded cattle when the alleged killings occurred.
Mr Young is also charged with the attempted murder of Graham’s brother Ross Tighe, who was allegedly there and survived the ordeal.
Despite a gunshot wound to the stomach Mr Tighe told police he escaped by running and hiding in bushes as shots allegedly continued to ring out before he was able to reach a farm ute and drive about 40km to a neighbouring property to raise the alarm.
A GoFundMe appeal was started for Mr Tighe and his partner in the days after the shooting and has since reached $22,345 from 194 donations.
Mr Young is also charged with weapons offences including possessing an unregistered category A weapon – a Breda shotgun, a restricted items – a replica weapon, and tainted property – a category A Winchester rifle.
It is alleged the weapons were found on August 5, the day after the shootings, at Mr Young’s West Euri Rd, Bowen, property.
Defence solicitor Andrew McGuiness, for Mr Young, laid out various delays in relation to the disclosure of material including forensic evidence, a ballistics report, telecommunication and electronic data.
Mr McGuiness argued so far prosecution had not given any time frame for when the material would be delivered.
Sergeant Myors said the arresting officer had just come back from leave and prosecution were waiting for external agencies to provide the material as well as a timeline for its delivery.
She added Mr Young’s legal team had also requested other material which has been provided.
“The majority of the prosecution case has been disclosed in the partial brief of evidence, it’s just these (remaining) items that will form part of the prosecution case.
“It’s simply a matter of relying on these external … agencies to obtain that evidence in a disclosable form to my friend.
“We’re not trying to delay the process, we’re doing what we can to obtain that evidence.”
Matters have been adjourned to February 28 for mention.
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