Defence lawyer suggests survivor could be killer in triple murder trial

Young, 63, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Married couple Mervyn and Maree Schwarz and Maree's son Graham Tighe were found dead at the gate of Young's property on August 4, 2022. Graham's brother, Ross Tighe, survived and told the court he witnessed Young shoot his family and that he was also wounded — a projectile remains in his body.

In his closing address on Tuesday, defence lawyer Anthony J Kimmins questioned Ross Tighe's credibility. "Why would the murderer let Ross Tighe go?" Kimmins asked. "It seems to remain one of life's great mysteries, unless the murderer was, in fact, Ross."

Kimmins argued that all elements of the alleged shooting could have been performed by Tighe. "Imagine that Darryl Young wasn't there," he said. "Is there anything which specifically could not have been performed by Ross Tighe? There isn't at all."

The defence also highlighted Tighe's actions after the shooting. Kimmins read from Tighe's account of fleeing into bushland and asked: "What does the loving son do to go and assist his mother? He doesn't even give two hoots about Mum. He is just more concerned about getting out of there. No alleged heroics."

Kimmins said it "defied logic" for Young to shoot four people and let one flee on foot. "Why did Darryl Young let him go and not try [to] finish him off?" he asked. "It is absolutely inexplicable, having gone to the trouble of murdering three people and letting a wounded one go."

The trial continues before the jury.

Why This Matters

The case involves a mass shooting in rural Queensland, testing how juries assess evidence when the only surviving witness is himself accused of being the perpetrator.
The outcome will affect family members of both the victims and the accused, as well as community confidence in the justice system.
If the defence succeeds in casting reasonable doubt, it could set a precedent for how survivor testimony is weighed in similar cases.

Background

The triple shooting occurred on August 4, 2022, at the gate of Darryl Young's cattle station in Bogie, north Queensland. Three people were killed: Mervyn Schwarz, Maree Schwarz and Graham Tighe. The sole survivor, Ross Tighe, was allegedly also shot but fled into bushland. Young has maintained his innocence throughout the trial in the Townsville Supreme Court. The defence has now finished its closing address; the prosecution will deliver its closing before the jury retires to consider its verdict.

Key Perspectives

Darryl Young's defence (Anthony J Kimmins): Argues that Ross Tighe had both motive and opportunity to commit the murders, and that Young being at the scene at 8:07 am is not proven. Questions why a murderer would let a wounded witness escape. Ross Tighe (prosecution witness): Told the court he witnessed Young shoot his family and was himself shot. The prosecution's case relies heavily on his testimony as the only eyewitness. Critics/Sceptics: Observers may question why Ross Tighe did not attempt to help his mother and why he fled, as emphasised by the defence. However, the prosecution is expected to argue that a traumatised shooting victim may not act rationally.

What to Watch

The prosecution's closing address and whether it effectively rebuts the defence's alternative theory.
The judge's directions to the jury on how to assess circumstantial evidence and witness credibility.
The length of jury deliberations – a quick verdict may suggest a clear outcome, while a long deliberation could indicate division.

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