A former law enforcement officer in Australia has gone on trial accused of murdering his former romantic partner and the man's new boyfriend in Sydney. Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, 31, formally entered a plea of not guilty to two counts of domestic violence-related murder and one count of aggravated break and enter at the commencement of the legal proceedings.
The charges stem from an incident in February 2024, when television presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and his partner Luke Davies, a 29-year-old airline crew member, lost their lives. Crown prosecutors outlined their case to the court, alleging that the accused acted out of an intense and obsessive jealousy following the dissolution of his relationship with Baird.
According to the prosecution's opening statement, the accused engaged in a pattern of compulsive monitoring and harassment after Baird cut off communication. The court heard that these behaviors included sending deceptive messages regarding a fake cancer diagnosis, keeping close surveillance on Baird's movements, and interfering with his motor vehicle.
Investigators claim the fatal attack was premeditated. The crown alleges that the accused woke up early on the morning of the killings, transitioned to an alternate telephone device, acquired a rental vehicle, and waited outside the victims' residence while wearing a disguise resembling a food delivery courier.
Prosecutors told the jury that the accused used a previously acquired key to gain entry to the Paddington property. Mr. Baird was shot in the kitchen area, while Mr. Davies was shot in the bedroom as he attempted to contact emergency services for assistance, with the crown arguing the second man was killed solely to remove him as a witness.
The court was told that the bodies were subsequently concealed inside surfboard bags and transported approximately 200 kilometers away to a rural location. Following the disappearance, the accused allegedly attempted to mislead investigators by utilizing the victims' mobile devices to send fabricated updates before eventually surrendering to authorities days later.
Authorities located the victims' remains roughly a week after the incident occurred, following the discovery of blood-stained personal items in a municipal waste bin. The accused was subsequently dismissed from the New South Wales Police force as legal proceedings advanced.
Prior to the presentation of opening arguments, a 15-person jury was empaneled for the trial, which is anticipated to last for a duration of three months. Presiding Justice Natalie Adams noted that the expanded jury size serves as a precautionary measure to account for potential illnesses or disruptions over the course of the lengthy proceedings.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
