Former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon will remain in custody over the holiday period, with his double-murder case adjourned on Tuesday until February next year following multiple delays.
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 nearly nine months behind bars since turning himself in at a police station several days after the deaths.
At the start of the month, it was expected Lamarre-Condon would enter pleas in response to two counts of domestic violence-related murder and one count of break and enter.
However, it was instead revealed that Lamarre-Condon was changing legal teams, with NSW Legal Aid taking over his case.
According to The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Lamarre-Condon’s lawyer Alex Curnick applied on Tuesday for the case to be adjourned until February 2025.
The court was told the matter had been delayed due to a change in legal representation as well as the “availability of a forensic psychologist”.
A 50-page affidavit was tendered to the court, explaining why the delay was required, with one of the reasons being the availability of the psychologist.
The Australian newspaper reported that Magistrate Daniel Covington was told by Lamarre-Condon’s legal team that further delays were expected, noting that a “lengthy delay” was required as a senior public defender and duty counsel were being briefed.
The prosecution did not oppose the adjournment and Covington acknowledged that a delay was necessary.
“The matter has only recently been given to Legal Aid; a senior Legal Aid defendant has only been appointed recently, junior counsel even more recently, and expert reports are required,” Covington said.
The case is due back in court on February 4.
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
