The short version
- Beau Lamarre-Condon denies murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in February 2024.
- A friend testified that the former officer previously described a method for hiding bodies and belongings.
- The defense argues the shootings were an act of self-defense during a disguised entry.
A Sydney court is hearing testimony in the double murder trial of Beau Lamarre-Condon, a former police officer accused of fatally shooting Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. The proceedings focus on whether the killings were premeditated acts of violence or the result of a self-defense scenario involving an unauthorized entry into Baird’s home. Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter.
Central to the prosecution’s case is evidence suggesting a pattern of behavior consistent with planning and concealment. Georgia Cook, a close friend of the accused, testified about a conversation that took place in May 2023, nine months before the alleged murders. During a dinner, Lamarre-Condon reportedly asked Cook what she would do if he told her he had killed someone. When she expressed uncertainty, he allegedly outlined a specific plan for disposing of evidence.
According to Cook’s testimony, Lamarre-Condon stated that after killing someone, he would take their belongings and place them in a dumpster. He further claimed he would transport the bodies to bushland areas where they would never be found. Cook described the interaction as surreal and frightening, noting that hearing such statements from someone holding police authority left her feeling trapped and scared. She admitted she was unsure whether to believe the claims at the time.
The prosecution draws a direct parallel between these earlier statements and the events of February 19, 2024. Authorities allege that Lamarre-Condon shot Baird and Davies inside Baird’s residence in Paddington using a police service weapon. Following the incident, the accused allegedly dumped bloodied belongings and furniture into a skip bin in Cronulla. This action mirrors the disposal method he had described to Cook nearly a year prior.
The bodies of Baird and Davies were discovered on the fence line of a Greek Orthodox monastery in Bungonia, a remote bushland area approximately 200 kilometers from Paddington. The location aligns with Lamarre-Condon’s previous description of hiding bodies where they would not be found. Prosecutors argue that this geographic detail supports their theory that the killings were planned and executed with intent to conceal.
In contrast, the defense team presents a narrative of self-defense. They claim that Lamarre-Condon disguised himself as an UberEats delivery rider to enter Baird’s home on the day of the shootings. According to this account, he was acting to protect himself after being confronted or threatened inside the residence. The defense disputes the prosecution’s characterization of the event as a premeditated murder.
Cook also testified that Lamarre-Condon had admitted to watching Baird from outside his home prior to the incident. This admission supports the prosecution’s assertion that the accused began planning the murders in early 2024. The brief relationship between Baird and Lamarre-Condon had ended before these events, adding a layer of personal history to the legal proceedings.
The trial continues before Justice Natalie Adams at the NSW Supreme Court. The jury must weigh the credibility of Cook’s testimony regarding the earlier threats against the defense’s claim of self-defense. The outcome will determine whether Lamarre-Condon faces life imprisonment for murder or a lesser sentence based on justifiable force. Legal experts note that the consistency between the alleged prior statements and the actual disposal methods is a key point of contention.
As the case progresses, investigators are examining the timeline of events leading up to February 2024. The use of a police service weapon raises questions about access and accountability within law enforcement agencies. The community awaits further developments as more witnesses are called to testify. The trial highlights the complexities of proving intent in cases involving former officers.
No final verdict has been reached. Both sides continue to present their arguments, with the prosecution emphasizing the premeditated nature of the crime and the defense focusing on the circumstances of the entry. The court remains closed to the public during sensitive testimony. Updates will be provided as the trial moves through its various stages.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Beau Lamarre-Condon told friend if he killed anyone he’d dump belongings in bin and take bodies to bushland, court hears
