Darryl Valroy Young charged with triple murder at Bogie
A lawyer for the man accused of gunning down four family members in an alleged execution-style shooting has disputed a push to delay the case up to three months.
Police & Courts
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A lawyer for the man accused of gunning down four family members in an alleged execution-style shooting has disputed a push to delay the case up to three months over outstanding evidence.
A visibly aged Darryl Valroy Young appeared in Bowen Magistrates Court via videolink on Tuesday, charged with the August 4, 2022 murders of Mervyn, 71, and Maree Schwarz, 59, and Maree’s son Graham Tighe, 35, with a rifle at close range at Bogie, west of Bowen.
About five supporters who say they were “very close” to the Schwarz family were in court for the brief mention.
Sergeant Emma Myors said prosecution was seeking a two-to-three months’ adjournment, as there was still “some material outstanding on the brief”.
The court heard the outstanding evidence included a ballistic report, and telecommunication and electronic data.
Sergeant Myors said the prosecution was relying on external agencies for this report.
Defence solicitor Andrew McGuinness, for Mr Young, said he did not consent to the delay and asked for the matter to be brought on again as soon as possible, as he would likely seek court-ordered directions regarding the provision of the material.
It is the third time the 59-year-old has appeared in court on the charges.
Police allege Mr Young invited the 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.
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 the day after the shootings, at Mr Young’s West Euri Rd, Bowen, property.
The brief of evidence on the murder charges and attempted murder charge had previously been ordered and was due on October 31.
The court heard the next available court date was in two weeks time.
Mr McGuinness reiterated the likelihood that he would ask for court-ordered directions regarding the material and requested his client appear via videolink.
He told the court Mr Young requested to be present because “he’s concerned about delays of provision of material”.
The matter was adjourned to February 21.
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