Bogie shooting: Darryl Valroy Young murder trial might be pushed to 2026

Police are looking to question new witnesses as the murder trial against an alleged triple killer may not start until the new year. This news comes in the weeks before the third anniversary of the horror shooting.

Police tape sealing off Shannonvale Rd about 3km from crime scene where Mervyn and Maree Schwarz along with Graham Tighe were shot and killed and Ross Tighe was wounded at Bogie, Central Queensland

Police are looking to question new witnesses as the murder trial against an alleged triple killer may be held up until 2026.

This news comes in the weeks before the third anniversary of the horror shooting.
Graziers Mervyn and Maree Schwarz and Maree’s son Graham Tighe were gunned down at a neighbour’s fence line on the morning of August 4, 2022 at Bogie west of Bowen.

Police allege Maree’s other son Ross Tighe witnesses the triple shooting, and also survived a life threatening gunshot wound to his stomach after he managed to flee the scene and call for help.

Neighbour Darryl Valroy Young is charged with the three murders and one attempted murder over the incident and has remained in custody since his arrest that day.

The matter was committed from the magistrates court in mid 2024 with an indictment handed down in early 2025.

Maree and Merv Schwarz and Graham Tighe were killed in a shooting at a Bogie property west of Mackay. Ross Tighe survived a gunshot wound to the stomach after undergoing emergency surgery.

Mr Young was denied bail earlier this year in the supreme court after he was labelled an “unacceptable risk”.

It was listed for a two week trial to begin this month however it had to be delayed after Mr Young switched lawyers for the fifth time.

The matter was briefly mentioned in Townsville Supreme Court on Monday when crown prosecutor Monique Sheppard indicated the case might take longer than the two weeks it was originally assigned.

Ms Sheppard said if extended to three weeks it might put the trial into 2026.

Darryl Valroy Young is charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Mr Young’s solicitor Ms Hoyer said she had also sought further disclosures regarding the brief of evidence “and I understand is currently being considered by the Queensland Police Service”.

The court heard this related to further statements from people who “had not provided witness statements on the current brief” as well as more forensic exhibits.

“It is a lengthy disclosure request,” Ms Sheppard said.

“I have been in communication with the investigating officer who had indicated it would be completed as soon as possible.”

Ms Sheppard said there would inevitably be some delay in ensuring each of the items requested was attended to.

The matter was adjourned to Friday, September 12 for mention.

Originally published as Bogie shooting: Darryl Valroy Young murder trial might be pushed to 2026