Cattle farmer appeals 40-year sentence for triple murder
Darryl Young, 63, has appealed his conviction and sentence for murdering three neighbours he believed had stolen his livestock.
Cattle farmer Darryl Valroy Young has launched an appeal days after receiving a 40-year minimum jail sentence for three murders. Young was convicted of shooting dead Mervyn Schwarz, his wife Maree, and her son Graham Tighe at his property gate near Townsville on August 4, 2022.
He also attempted to murder Ross, who was shot in the lower torso and escaped. A Queensland court heard Young believed the family had stolen livestock and called them to a meeting at 8am to confront them.
Justice Christopher Johnstone sentenced Young to life with a minimum of 40 years, describing the killings as like killing feral animals. Young received an additional 16 years for the attempted murder.
A Queensland Courts spokesman confirmed the appeal was filed on Friday.
Why it mattersThe appeal will test whether the court agrees the sentence fits the crime and whether any trial errors warrant a retrial.
AustraliaThe case highlights rural property disputes in Queensland and the justice system's handling of mass murder cases.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 17 h ago
