The second legal team representing alleged double murderer Beau Lamarre-Condon officially withdrew from his case in court on Tuesday, a day after an unspecified issue arose that led them to step down.
Lamarre-Condon is accused of fatally shooting former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird and Baird’s boyfriend, Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, with his police-issued firearm on February 19 last year.
Lamarre-Condon was last due to face court in June, but proceedings were delayed due to flooding at Sydney’s Downing Centre court complex.
The matter returned to court on Tuesday, where his taxpayer-funded Legal Aid lawyer, Alexander Terracini, told the magistrate that he and the rest of Lamarre-Condon’s legal team were seeking leave to withdraw from the case following “an issue [that] arose yesterday”.
Terracini declined to elaborate, telling journalists outside court that it was “not appropriate” to comment.
He said lawyer Ben Archbold had been secured as a replacement – the third to take on the case after Lamarre-Condon parted ways with solicitor John Walford last year.
Due to the latest change in legal representation, the court granted a six-week adjournment – despite opposition from Crown prosecutor Brendan Donnelly.
“Negotiations have been ongoing for now many, many months,” Donnelly told the court.
“The Crown is ready for this to proceed to trial. These murders allegedly occurred in February last year, further delay is undesirable in the circumstances.”
Magistrate Chris Halburd acknowledged the length of time the matter had been before the court and the gravity of the allegations.
“Yes, the matter has been before the court for a long time, something has occurred, it’s appropriate that I don’t know what that is,” Halburd said.
“These are complex matters, they’re always better progressed when people are represented, and certainly it’s in the interest of justice that I grant this application [to adjourn the case].”
Speaking outside court, Archbold thanked the magistrate for granting the adjournment.
“I’m very appreciative that the magistrate gave us the adjournment to enable us to come up to speed. I’ll have something to say in the fullness of time, but for today, that’s all I’m going to say,” he said.
Also present in court was Lamarre-Condon’s mother, Colleen, who made a rare appearance but did not answer questions outside.
Lamarre-Condon is yet to enter a plea.
The matter is scheduled to return to court on August 26.
Editor’s note: Journalist Eliot Hastie knew Jesse 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
