Lamarre-Condon to remain remanded through to February after trial delays
Facing court nine months on from the alleged double domestic violence murders, former cop Beau Lamarre-Condon has pushed back his trial.
Former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon will have his trial for the alleged murder of former Ten presenter Jesse Baird and his lover Luke Davies delayed a second time.
Facing two counts of domestic violence-related murder and one count of break and enter, Mr Lamarre-Condon was expected to enter a plea two weeks ago.
On Tuesday, the matter was adjourned to February 4 for a future case conference after his representation submitted a 50-page affidavit explaining “extensively why the lengthy adjournment is required”.
Represented by NSW Legal Aid, his legal team suggested further delays may be likely given a shortage of forensic psychiatrists available. ODPP solicitor Brendan Donnelly did not oppose the 12-week adjournment, saying a “further delay is foreshadowed”.
Mr Lamarre-Condon did not appear at the committal hearing in Sydney’s Downing Centre Magistrate Court before magistrate Daniel Covington. His family appeared over video link but were not visible to the gallery.
“There is likely to be further delay in this matter,” the Legal Aid representative said.
The affidavit was submitted on Tuesday and follows a change in Mr Lamarre-Condon’s legal team, with him having previously been represented by solicitor John Walford.
“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,” Mr Covington said.
The couple’s bodies were found inside surfboard bags buried on a remote property near Goulburn in the NSW southern tablelands after a week-long search.
Police allege the former the 28-year-old constable used his police-issued firearm to murder the two men in Baird’s inner-city Paddington home, and a white Toyota HiAce van was used to transport their bodies.
Baird previously worked as a red-carpet reporter for Studio Ten until late last year and had been dating Davies, a 29-year-old Qantas flight attendant, for some time before they were killed inside his home on Monday 19 February.
The pair were last seen by friends at a mardi gras party at the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills on the Sunday evening before the alleged murder.
Police say the killing was premeditated, after a months-long campaign of predatory behaviour and an “escalating process” of harassment by Mr Lamarre-Condon against Baird.
Davies was “collateral damage”, police say, because he was at Baird’s home.
Prior to beginning his career as an officer, Mr Lamarre-Condon was a celebrity blogger, with his social media accounts showcasing selfies with celebrities including Selena Gomez, Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus.
A gossip website he ran claimed to feature interviews with high-profile celebrities, including Ben Stiller, Cody Simpson, Russell Crowe and Chris Hemsworth.
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