The double murder trial of Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, a former New South Wales police officer accused of killing his former partner and the man’s new boyfriend, is set to begin in Sydney on Monday, more than two years after the two men disappeared.
Lamarre-Condon, 31, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of domestic violence-related murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter. Prosecutors allege that he used his police-issued firearm to shoot Jesse Baird, 26, a television presenter, and Luke Davies, 29, a Qantas flight attendant, at a home in the Sydney suburb of Paddington in February 2024.
The case has drawn significant public attention because of the alleged connection between the accused and Baird, who had previously been in a relationship with him. Davies was Baird’s new partner.
Police began searching for the pair after bloodied belongings believed to belong to them were discovered in a bin in southern Sydney. The discovery prompted an investigation that quickly focused on Lamarre-Condon.
Later that week, Lamarre-Condon surrendered at a police station and was charged with the alleged killings. Eight days after the deaths were believed to have occurred, investigators found the bodies of Baird and Davies in a rural area more than 200 kilometres southwest of Sydney. Their bodies had been concealed in surfboard bags.
The alleged use of a work-issued firearm is also central to the prosecution case. Lamarre-Condon was a serving NSW Police officer when the deaths occurred, but he was dismissed from the force in the weeks after being charged.
The trial is expected to last about three months, reflecting the amount of evidence likely to be examined by the court. A jury is expected to be selected on Monday before prosecutors and the defence present their opening statements.
The proceedings will determine whether the prosecution can prove its allegations against Lamarre-Condon beyond a reasonable doubt. He remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until the court reaches a verdict.
