Son jailed for mum's murder believes it was justified

Paul Cohrs has been jailed for up to 30 years for murdering his elderly mother. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

A former deputy mayor who continues to believe he was justified in the shooting murder of his elderly mother could die in prison.

Paul Cohrs shot dead his 81-year-old mother in Victoria after allegedly murdering his brother in NSW on October 31, 2018, following a years-long family dispute.

The 65-year-old was on Wednesday jailed for 30 years, with a non-parole period of 23 years, in Victoria’s Supreme Court in relation to his mother Bette Cohrs-Schulz's murder.

Paul Cohrs (file image)
Paul Cohrs murdered his mother because she supported his brother, a judge said.

Cohrs’ "abhorrent" act was premeditated and planned, motivated by anger and grievance over his mother's support for his brother, Justice Lesley Taylor said.

“You aimed at an elderly lady who was entitled to feel safe in her own home.

“She had been in fear that you would shoot her.

“In her last moments, she would have realised her fears.”

Cohrs was not tried over the death of his brother Raymond in the Victorian Supreme Court as it occurred in NSW, but Justice Taylor said the context around his mother's death was linked to his plan to kill his brother.

In relation to his brother's death, NSW Police have charged Cohrs with murder, detaining a person for advantage, and six counts of possessing an unregistered firearm.

The Victorian court was told Cohrs has since expressed regret over the killings.

"(Your) ongoing belief that you were justified in your actions (makes me form a) negligible view of your regret," the judge said.

The relationship between Cohrs and his brother became strained in 2012 as they had conflicting ideas over properties connected to the family business.

He believed his mother had betrayed him by taking Raymond's side, despite her not being involved with the businesses at the time, the judge said.

Raymond had decided to get the properties appraised, turning up with real estate agent Michael Fernandez to a NSW border property where Cohrs and his wife were living.

All three men drove to a shearing station on the property in the far southwestern corner of NSW where Cohrs shot his brother multiple times in the head and chest before handcuffing Mr Fernandez in the shed, the court was told.

"You deserve it. You ruined our lives," he told his dying brother.

Paul Cohrs (file image)
A jury rejected Paul Cohrs' defence of mental impairment.

He then travelled 120km, arriving at his mother's home at Red Cliffs in Victoria's northwest an hour later.

She had just returned home from shopping with her four-year-old great-grandson when Cohrs shot her in the chest while the boy was in the bathroom.

Cohrs drove off, leaving his grandson to find Mrs Cohrs-Schulz's body on the kitchen floor covered in blood.

As he drove back to Lake Victoria Station, he called his two non-estranged children, telling his son, "it’s done, it’s over, I’ve shot them both” before calling police.

He freed the real estate agent, telling him to not look at his brother's body as he left, before trying to kill himself.

Cohrs expressed his disbelief when he survived, telling two police officers trying to save him that he had killed his mother and brother.

"They are two of the most evilest (sic) people in the world,” he told them.

Cohrs claimed he was not guilty of his mother's murder because he was mentally impaired, but that was rejected by a Supreme Court jury who found him guilty at his trial in May.

Justice Taylor said he had been diagnosed with a persecutory type of delusion disorder, which was a factor in his offending while his anger was the primary motivation.

This was evident in "oddities" in his behaviour from 2012 when as deputy mayor of Wentworth Shire Council in NSW's Riverina region, he developed grudges and refused to speak on council phones because he believed they were bugged.

The judge said Cohrs' physical health was less than robust after suffering cardiac arrest in 2020 and he is taking medication for heart disease while also managing diabetes.

Cohrs will be at least 82 by the time he is eligible for parole in 2041, having already served six years in pre-sentence custody.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store