The case against former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon is facing further delays due to a last-minute change in his legal representation.
Lamarre-Condon, 29, is accused of fatally shooting former Channel Ten presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and Baird’s partner, Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, at a Paddington share house on February 19.
Police allege that Lamarre-Condon used his police-issued gun to kill the couple, then placed their bodies inside surfboard bags and transported them to a remote property near Goulburn. He was 28 at the time.
Lamarre-Condon has spent eight months behind bars since turning himself in at a police station several days after the deaths.
Appearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday via video link, he was expected to enter pleas in response to two counts of domestic violence-related murder and one count of break and enter.
At a previous court appearance, his then-lawyer, John Walford, had informed the court he was in the “last throes” of finalising a plea. He had previously said that his client’s murder charges could be defendable, potentially on mental health grounds.
However, on Tuesday, Walford announced that he was officially withdrawing from the case, with NSW Legal Aid now assuming responsibility for Lamarre-Condon’s defence, funded by the state.
Lamarre-Condon’s new Legal Aid representative informed the court that they had received most of the evidence, including two hard drives, and requested additional time for case preparation.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Legal Aid sought a five-month adjournment to obtain a report from a forensic psychiatrist, which was opposed by the prosecution. The prosecution argued that it was unclear why a psychiatrist’s appointment could not be arranged sooner or whether the report would even be ready by March next year.
Ultimately, Legal Aid requested a two-week adjournment to confirm receipt of the full brief and to consult with the prosecution about the next steps. This was agreed upon by the Crown.
Magistrate Clare Farnan said it was “regrettable that legal representation is changing at this late stage” and scheduled the matter to return to court later this month.
Lamarre-Condon has yet to enter any pleas and is due back in court on November 19.
This article was written by Eliot Hastie, who knew Baird.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
