Prison audio tested in Sydney murder trial

The defense of a Sydney police officer accused of a double murder now hinges on a hidden audio recording from a prison visit. The file, captured in December 2025, offers a detailed account of the defendant’s actions on the night of the killings.

Beau Lamarre-Condon, 31, faces two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter. He allegedly shot Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in Baird’s Paddington home on 19 February 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During testimony on Monday, the New South Wales Supreme Court played the recording of Lamarre-Condon’s conversation with a friend. The friend, whose identity is suppressed, recorded the visit on behalf of police. In the audio, Lamarre-Condon acknowledged the friend’s presence in the case.

Lamarre-Condon stated, “I fully take accountability that you’re involved because of me now.” The friend expressed frustration, noting that Lamarre-Condon had previously called him dumb. Lamarre-Condon corrected this, saying, “You’re not dumb OK,” but added that his friend lacked his own level of self-awareness.

The recording reveals a dispute over the motive for the shooting. Lamarre-Condon accused his friend of lying in his police statement. He denied the claim that he killed Davies to eliminate a witness. Instead, he asserted he acted in self-defense.

The officer also challenged the legal characterization of his entry into the home. He told the friend that it was not a break and enter because Baird had cut a key for him. He admitted to trespassing but argued it was normal to return to a former partner’s home to retrieve belongings.

Lamarre-Condon explained he did not knock because he feared being slapped with an apprehended violence order. He claimed he called out hello when walking inside. He argued his demeanor proved the act was spontaneous, stating, “If I had planned to do this mate, I’d be cool, calm, collected.”

He detailed hypothetical preparations he would have made if the killing were planned, including having cleaning supplies ready and using a non-police firearm. He noted he could have purchased another gun for $10,000. Lamarre-Condon also told the friend he tested the loudness of his gun in Royal National Park before the murders.

The officer cited suicidality and trauma from work as factors in his state of mind. He said he planned to return to the park to take his own life. The friend, who threatened to leave multiple times during the call, questioned the truth of the account.

The trial continues before Justice Natalie Adams. The recording provides the jury with a direct account of the defendant’s perspective, contrasting with the formal evidence presented earlier in the proceedings.