Jury Hears Prison Tape of Accused Discussing Fatal Sydney Shootings

A jury in Sydney listened Monday to a secret audio recording of a prison visit between Beau Lamarre-Condon and a friend. The tape, made in December of last year, captures the 31-year-old accused speaking about the fatal shooting of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in February 2024.

Lamarre-Condon is on trial for two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. The friend, whose identity is protected, testified on Friday that Lamarre-Condon initially described the killings as an out-of-body experience before suggesting it was a joke.

On Monday, the court played the recording for the jury. At the start, Lamarre-Condon asked the friend to turn around to check for a hidden microphone. The friend replied, You're so paranoid, and told him to calm down. Lamarre-Condon then accused the friend of lying in his statement to police, specifically regarding the claim that he killed Davies to eliminate a witness.

The accused stated on the tape that he acted in self-defense. He argued that entering Baird's home in Paddington did not constitute break and enter because Baird had a key cut for him. He conceded it was trespass, a normal act for a former partner collecting belongings. He said he did not knock to avoid an apprehended violence order but called out hello after entering.

Lamarre-Condon claimed he would have been cool and collected if he had planned the incident. He stated he would have had cleaning supplies ready and would not have used his police service weapon. He added that he could have bought another gun for $10,000.

The recording also includes Lamarre-Condon describing a trip to Royal National Park in early 2024 where he fired his gun to test its volume. He said he planned to return there to take his own life due to trauma and suicidality. The friend, who threatened to leave several times, said what you're telling me mightn't be the truth.

The trial is being heard before Justice Natalie Adams in the New South Wales supreme court. Lamarre-Condon shot the couple at Baird's home on 19 February 2024 while serving as a police officer.