Prison call plays key role in Sydney murder case
A 31-year-old police officer told a friend he took full responsibility for involving him in the trial after a covert recording was played to the jury.
By Kenneth Adams ·
A recording of a prison visit between Beau Lamarre-Condon and a friend was played to a jury in Sydney on Monday. The audio offers new insight into how the accused views his role in the double murder trial and his relationship with the co-accused.
Lamarre-Condon, 31, is a police officer accused of killing Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in February 2024. He used his service weapon to shoot the couple in Baird’s home in Paddington. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter.
The friend, whose name is not public, testified that Lamarre-Condon previously claimed the killings were an "out-of-body experience." The friend said Lamarre-Condon later tried to act as if the confession was a joke.
During the recorded visit in December 2025, the friend asked Lamarre-Condon to show he was not wearing a hidden microphone. Lamarre-Condon replied, "You’re so paranoid." The friend told the court that the encounter was difficult for him personally.
In the audio, Lamarre-Condon said, "I fully take accountability that you’re involved because of me now." He apologized for the situation he had created for the friend.
The two men argued about the details of Lamarre-Condon’s police statement. Lamarre-Condon accused his friend of lying about his recollections. He stated that he acted in self-defense, contradicting the friend's claim that Lamarre-Condon said Davies was killed to remove a witness.
Lamarre-Condon argued that entering Baird’s home did not constitute break and enter because Baird had provided him with a key. He admitted to trespassing but said it was normal to return to a former partner's house to get belongings. He said he did not knock because he feared an apprehended violence order.
In the recording, Lamarre-Condon suggested the event was unplanned. He said, "If I had planned to do this mate, I’d be cool, calm, collected." He claimed he would have used a different firearm and had cleaning supplies ready if he had intended to kill the couple.
He also mentioned taking his gun to Royal National Park in early 2024 to test the sound of the shots. He said he was planning to end his own life there. Lamarre-Condon attributed his mental state to trauma from work.
Justice Natalie Adams is presiding over the trial. The friend was heard threatening to hang up the phone several times during the conversation. The trial continues.
Source: The Guardian
