‘Meet Me at the Property Line’: Chilling Details Emerge in Trial of Farmer Accused of Ki-ll-ing Three Neighbours Over Cattle Dispute
A grazier on trial for murder allegedly said “I’ll end this once and for all” before opening fire on his neighbours, whom he had accused of stealing cattle.
North Queensland farmer Darryl Valroy Young allegedly shot dead Mervyn and Maree Schwarz, 71 and 59, and Maree’s son Graham Tighe, 35, at a property in Bogie, near Bowen, on August 4, 2022.
He is also accused of attempting to kill Tighe’s brother Ross Tighe.
Young has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On day one of the trial in Townsville Supreme Court, the jury was told Young had been the subject of rumours and nicknames since the alleged murders, including the “Beast of Bogie”.
The court was told Young blamed his fellow farmers for selling calves that belonged to him, with a “tense” phone call setting up a meeting at his front gate to resolve the dispute.
Prosecutors told the court he again accused them of stealing cattle before going to his car and saying something like: “I’ll end this once and for all.”
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He then allegedly retrieved a rifle and started firing, killing three people.
Tighe survived the alleged shooting and will testify at the trial.
Young’s defence says there’s “not one trace of scientific evidence” on his body, clothes or car.
The trial continues.
