Bogie shooting: Survivor ordered to give evidence at committal for murder accused Darryl Valroy Young

A severely traumatised man who saw his brother, mother, and stepfather allegedly gunned down at close range before being shot in the stomach will have his story tested by the defence before it goes to trial.

Bogie survivor Ross Tighe (right) will be called to be questioned during a committal hearing for Darryl Young (right), the man accused of murdering his brother, mother and stepfather.

The sole survivor and “only eye witness” to his family’s alleged execution-style slaughter has been ordered to submit to questioning by lawyers representing their accused killer.

Magistrate Michelle Howard has determined there were gaps in Ross Tighe’s witness statements to police regarding the alleged murder of his brother, mother and stepfather on August 4, 2022 at Bogie, west of Bowen.

He and six others will be questioned over two days in late August in Bowen Magistrates Court after Ms Howard agreed it was necessary in the interests of justice so that murder accused Darryl Valroy Young “may properly understand the case against him and has full disclosure and is not surprised at trial”.

General issues to be explored during the committal will include how the victims were shot, what opportunity Mr Young had to commit the offences “and the opportunity for other persons to commit the offences”.

Bogie survivor Ross Tighe will be called to be questioned during a committal hearing for the man accused of murdering his brother, mother and stepfather.

At a directions hearing in March, police prosecution argued against Mr Tighe’s cross examination revealing he was severely traumatised since the triple shootings, during which it is alleged he was also fired upon after watching his brother Graham Tighe, mother Maree Schwarz and stepfather Mervyn Schwarz gunned down at close range.

Mr Tighe suffered a life threatening bullet wound to his stomach and was allegedly able to flee the scene — he had a bullet lodged in his stomach that could not be removed.

The court heard medical reports indicated it “may be detrimental to Ross Tighe if he was to encounter face to face (Mr Young) or his associates”.

Darryl Valroy Young is charged with the murders of Mervyn and Maree Schwarz and Graham Tighe and the attempted murder of Ross Tighe.

Police allege Mr Young had invited the four to an early morning meeting at the front gate of his property Shannonvale, which bordered their property Sutherland about an ongoing dispute between the two groups regarding property boundary lines, a water bore and stolen cattle.

During the meeting it is alleged Mr Young retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot the four.

The court heard the rifle allegedly used in the shooting deaths had never been found.

Flowers have been left on the roadside near the property involved in the fatal shooting on August 4, 2022. Picture: Daniel Shirkie

‘There are further legitimate questions which arise to be answered’

The court heard Barrister Douglas Wilson, through cross examination, wanted insight into any animosity between Mr Young and the victims, the relationship between the Schwarzs, Tighes and Mr Young “before and on the day of the event”, “the size calibre and type of projective used in relation to other projectiles located by police at various locations,” and “the range at which the projectiles which entered the respective victims were fired by a shooter”.

Mr Wilson will also question Mr Tighe on firearms owned and used at Sutherland as well as any discussions the group had about taking weapons to the meeting.

Maree and Merv Schwarz (left) and Graham Tighe (top right), and Ross Tighe (bottom right).

Sergeant Emma Myors argued it was a “fishing expedition” as the required information was covered extensively in his initial interview with police in hospital, the official statement given on August 5 and a further statement on September 2.

Ms Howard in handing down her decision on Tuesday excepted the charges against Mr Young were “very serious indeed” and if convicted he would likely spend the rest of his life in jail.

Picture of police tape sealing off Shannonvale Rd about 3km from crime scene where Mervyn and Maree Schwarz along with Graham Tighe were shot and killed at Bogie.

“I am satisfied that there are substantial reasons why in the interests of justice that cross examination should be ordered in respect of Mr Ross Tighe,” Ms Howard said.

“I do not accept that it’s a fishing expedition, nor would allowing cross examination in relation to these points be a full dress rehearsal before trial.

“Although there’s a degree of detail in ross tighe’s witness statements as the prosecution argues, it appears to me there are further legitimate questions which arise to be answered and... those answers tested if (Mr Young) is to fully understand the case against him and have full disclosure.”

Ms Howard rejected Sergeant Myors submission that further addendum statements could be provided as an alternative.

The court heard Mr Tighe would be treated as a protected witness during the committal hearing, where Mr Young would appear in person.

Originally published as Bogie shooting: Survivor ordered to give evidence at committal for murder accused Darryl Valroy Young