A former New South Wales police officer has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
Beau Lamarre-Condon appeared in court on Tuesday, 26 August, where he formally denied two counts of domestic-violence-related murder and one count of aggravated break and enter.
The 29-year-old is accused of shooting TV presenter Baird, 26, and Qantas flight attendant Davies, 29, in Sydney in February 2024. The men were last seen at a pre-Mardi Gras party before their bodies were discovered eight days later.
Court proceedings
Lamarre-Condon’s pleas come after an 18-month delay in proceedings, during which he changed legal representation twice. The case has now been committed for trial at the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney.
Speaking outside court, his lawyer Ben Archbold told reporters:
“You’ll probably appreciate, there are always more sides to every story and we’ll have an opportunity to tell ours in the fullness of time and the appropriate forum.”
Community impact
The case has deeply shaken Sydney’s LGBTQ+ community. Following Lamarre-Condon’s arrest in 2024, organisers of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras asked NSW Police not to march in the parade, citing the need to allow space for grief and reflection.
The trial is expected to attract significant public attention when it begins.
