Beau Lamarre-Condon, the individual facing murder charges, displayed a smile as he listened to testimony from Georgia Cook, a former acquaintance. During her cross-examination, he appeared to shake his head slowly while she recounted a “surreal” dinner they shared at a restaurant on Sydney’s northern shore in May 2023. This event took place nine months prior to the alleged fatal shootings of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in Paddington in February 2024. Lamarre-Condon has entered a not guilty plea, asserting that he acted in self-defense.
The prosecution contends that he murdered the two men, motivated by an obsessive and jealous fixation on Mr. Baird following the end of their casual relationship. In court, Ms. Cook described a disturbing conversation during their dinner, in which Lamarre-Condon reportedly asked, “What would you do if I told you I killed someone, would you help me hide the body?” She recounted that he elaborated on how he would dispose of the victims, leaving her feeling frightened.
However, defense attorney James Lang challenged Ms. Cook on her decision to maintain a friendship with Lamarre-Condon after that conversation. He presented a photograph of them together where she was smiling, along with several affectionate text messages she had sent him, including expressions of fondness such as “xxx” and emojis indicating emotional sentiments. Despite this evidence, Ms. Cook remained firm in her assertion that she felt scared and could not forget the threatening words he spoke.
The defense also brought up a past drug possession charge against Ms. Cook, suggesting it might have strained their friendship, but she dismissed this claim. She explained that tensions arose after Lamarre-Condon requested her to perform unpaid modeling work for his swimwear brand.
Throughout the trial, Lamarre-Condon largely maintained a stoic demeanor, even as harrowing testimonies unfolded. With his distinct high skin fade haircut and dark attire, he appeared focused, taking notes while seated by his defense team. However, he showed visible signs of engagement during testimonies from former friends, notably blinking rapidly when a childhood friend recounted a video call where he allegedly made a gun gesture and inquired if her partner could obtain a firearm. This left her feeling confused.
Defense counsel John Stratton SC questioned the witness’s memory, suggesting that Lamarre-Condon was merely checking on her safety regarding her partner’s behavior. The witness quickly refuted this interpretation. Another former friend testified that she felt coerced by Lamarre-Condon to send a lengthy Instagram message to Jesse Baird, describing it as a guilt trip and an exploitation of their friendship. The message, which exceeded Instagram’s word limit, contained false claims about Lamarre-Condon’s health.
The accused’s connections extended into his former police career, as evidenced by the testimonies of his long-time colleagues, who sat across from him in court. On Thursday, Senior Constable Alexandra Scobie recounted her experiences listening to Lamarre-Condon’s accounts of his interactions with Mr. Baird. She noted that she had to withdraw from the initial police investigation into the murders upon realizing her personal connection to the accused, citing a conflict of interest. Scobie recalled a peculiar conversation where he asked about the traceability of rental vehicles, alleged to be used in the crimes, assuring her, “I promise I’m not doing anything illegal.” She advised him against making reckless decisions.
In March 2024, Lamarre-Condon was dismissed from the New South Wales Police. CCTV footage of him from the days leading up to the alleged shootings has surfaced, revealing critical moments before the tragic events unfolded. The trial, which spans 12 weeks, has seen rising tensions, particularly during the defense’s questioning of Lamarre-Condon’s former friends.
Justice Natalie Adams has presided over the proceedings with a blend of cordiality and professionalism, guiding the jury through the sensitive testimonies. The atmosphere in the courtroom has been heavy with grief, as many witnesses have expressed their emotions openly, some leaving in tears after their statements. The public attendance has diminished since the trial’s commencement, with some audience members appearing less engaged. This week has revealed the trial’s somber reality, culminating in the jury being shown disturbing images related to the case, with many difficult weeks still ahead.
