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Beau Lamarre-Condon trial live updates: Opening addresses continue in former NSW police officer’s double murder trial

Read the original at The Sydney Morning Herald ↗
Cite

Gorrey, M., Whitbourn, M., & Duffin, P. (2026, September 22). Beau Lamarre-Condon trial live updates: Opening addresses continue in former NSW police officer’s double murder trial. The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/beau-lamarre-condon-trial-live-updates-opening-addresses-continue-in-former-nsw-police-officer-s-double-murder-trial-20260922-p60zcs.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

The Sydney Morning Herald · collected 2026-09-22 · by Megan Gorrey, Michaela Whitbourn, Perry Duffin

Quick Summary

The article provides live updates from Beau Lamarre-Condon's trial in the NSW Supreme Court, where he is accused of murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies on February 19, 2024. The trial, expected to last up to 12 weeks with a 15-person jury, includes Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield delivering an opening address alleging that Lamarre-Condon developed an obsessive infatuation with Baird, leading to premeditated murder of Baird and killing Davies as a potential witness elimination.
Written by AI on 2026-09-22, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

The trial of former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon began in Sydney's Supreme Court on September 20, 2026, over the alleged murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. Lamarre-Condon, 31, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of domestic violence-related murder and one count of aggravated break and enter. Prosecutors allege that Lamarre-Condon used his police-issued firearm to shoot the couple inside Baird's home in Paddington on February 19, 2024. The victims' bodies were later found hidden in surfboard bags about 200km away. Text messages from Baird’s phone sent hours after the alleged murders confused housemates into thinking he was still alive and planning to move out of the home the following day. The trial is expected to last three months, with a jury of 15 members selected to hear the case. Witnesses have testified about discoveries made at the crime scene before it was officially declared so by authorities.

Written for “Beau Lamarre-Condon Double Murder Trial” on 2026-11-01, grounded in this article and the 28 other(s) covering the same event.

Story

📰 Beau Lamarre-Condon Double Murder Trial
Crime & Law · 29 article(s) covering the same event. Compare every outlet's account →

Compared with similar articles

This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.
Alleged double murderer Lamarre-Condon acted in self-defence, court told Same event
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Hedges 15 of 94 claims Outlet record 61/100
Former cop Beau Lamarre-Condon argues self-defence in double murder trial citing struggle over gun Same event
The Guardian
Hedges 4 of 32 claims Outlet record 66/100
Jesse Baird ‘petrified’ of Beau Lamarre-Condon and kept repeating ‘he has a gun’, court hears Same event
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Hedges 1 of 25 claims Outlet record 66/100
Beau Lamarre-Condon trial live updates: Former NSW police officer’s trial begins over alleged murder of Paddington couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies Same event
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Hedges 0 of 8 claims Outlet record 61/100
Condon double murder trial begins Same event
The Sydney Morning Herald
Hedges 0 of 2 claims Outlet record 61/100
CCTV and the $85 surfboard cover: Video played in ex-cop’s murder trial Same event
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Hedges 3 of 22 claims Outlet record 61/100
Beau Lamarre-Condon developed ‘obsession’ with Jesse Baird before fatal double shooting, court hears Different event
The Guardian
Hedges 1 of 16 claims Outlet record 66/100
“While both articles discuss Beau Lamarre-Condon's trial for the murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, ARTICLE A focuses on the details of the court hearing and the nature of the crime, while ARTICLE B provides live updates from the ongoing trial. They describe different stages or aspects of a related event rather than the same specific incident.”
Sydney policeman allegedly disguised himself as Uber Eats rider before murders Different event
BBC News
Hedges 1 of 21 claims Outlet record 68/100
“Article A describes the alleged murders and circumstances, while Article B covers live updates of the trial proceedings for those charges.”
Ex-cop accused of double murder allegedly dressed as Uber Eats rider, court hears Different event
The Sydney Morning Herald
Hedges 7 of 53 claims Outlet record 61/100
“While both articles cover Beau Lamarre-Condon's trial for the murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, Article A focuses on details presented in the opening address regarding his disguise as an Uber Eats rider, while Article B provides a broader overview of the trial proceedings and jury selection.”
Beau Lamarre-Condon claims he took female friend's 'Taylor Swift' advice on dealing with Jesse Baird and Luke Davies' bodies Different event
Daily Mail
Hedges 3 of 16 claims Outlet record 68/100
“While both articles discuss Beau Lamarre-Condon's trial for double murder, Article A covers live updates during his trial's opening addresses, while Article B focuses on a specific claim made by Lamarre-Condon regarding advice from a friend.”
How this article was measured signals, leaning charts, publisher record, byline, topics and claims

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted
10
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
0%
0 of 10 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
61/100
The Sydney Morning Herald's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
29
Crime & Law
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
Analyzed 2026-09-22 · how these are computed

How this is being covered How these are calculated →

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability
Source leaning vs. consistency

Publisher

The Sydney Morning Herald · 5699 article(s) · 15 correction(s) detected
Running correction rate · 15 correction(s)
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Who wrote this

Megan Gorrey
14 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction
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2026-10-19 · assertive framing · The architects fighting to design a ‘distinctly Sydney’ waterfront suburb
🔮 A long-awaited plan to build a new public swimming pool in Sydney’s south-west is a step closer, despite concerns the $62 million project could face further delays after the architecture firm that designed it collapsed.
2026-10-12 · assertive framing · Long-awaited Sydney pool faces uncertainty as architecture firm collapses
🔮 Plans to replace an older unit block with an $85 million luxury apartment complex on Oxford Street in Paddington have been approved by the Minns government despite concerns from hundreds of residents, the local MP and Woollahra Council that it would result in fewer relatively affordable homes.
2026-10-05 · assertive framing · Forty-four new homes, 332 objections: Why older units will be razed for luxury Paddington apartments
🔮 Plans to replace an older unit block with an $85 million luxury apartment complex on Oxford Street in Paddington have been approved by the Minns government despite concerns from hundreds of residents, the local MP and Woollahra Council that it would result in fewer relatively affordable homes.
2026-10-05 · assertive framing · Fourty-four new homes, 332 objections: Why older units will be razed for luxury Paddington apartments
🔮 Samarasinghe was refused bail and will face court on Sunday.
2026-10-03 · assertive framing · P-plater in horror Newcastle Knights car crash previously lost his licence
🔮 Accused double-murderer Beau Lamarre-Condon allegedly asked a friend if he would fit inside a surfboard bag as he planned the murder of a former romantic partner, a Sydney court has heard.
2026-09-24 · assertive framing · CCTV and the $85 surfboard cover: Video played in ex-cop’s murder trial
🔮 Thorpe agreed Baird had told him the accused would take videos and photos of him and post them on Instagram to give the impression they were in a relationship while hiding the posts from Baird.
2026-09-23 · assertive framing · Alleged victim of ex-cop was ‘petrified’ before his death, court told
🔮 The accused had his police-issued pistol with him because “his training was that he was not allowed to leave a gun unminded in a car where it might be stolen”, the defence barrister said.
2026-09-22 · assertive framing · Alleged double murderer Lamarre-Condon acted in self-defence, court told
🔮 A 15-person jury was empanelled on Monday for the trial, which is expected to run for up to 12 weeks.
2026-09-22 · assertive framing · Beau Lamarre-Condon trial live updates: Opening addresses continue in former NSW police officer’s double murder trial
🔮 The Crown foreshadowed the jury would hear evidence that Lamarre-Condon set his alarm for 4.30am on February 19, 2024, and messaged a friend at 4.49am: “I’ll try to call you tonight and update you X.
2026-09-21 · assertive framing · Ex-cop accused of double murder allegedly dressed as Uber Eats rider, court hears
Also by Megan Gorrey
The architects fighting to design a ‘distinctly Sydney’ waterfront suburb
2026-10-19 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Long-awaited Sydney pool faces uncertainty as architecture firm collapses
2026-10-12 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Forty-four new homes, 332 objections: Why older units will be razed for luxury Paddington apartments
2026-10-05 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Fourty-four new homes, 332 objections: Why older units will be razed for luxury Paddington apartments
2026-10-05 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 14 articles by Megan Gorrey →
Michaela Whitbourn
30 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction
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2026-10-30 · assertive framing · Top judge’s inflammatory WhatsApp message about deputy revealed amid bitter fight
🔮 Beau Lamarre-Condon texted a friend a day before he allegedly murdered Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies suggesting that he may not “get to talk to you again”, a court has heard.
2026-10-29 · assertive framing · ‘If I don’t get to talk to you again’: Lamarre-Condon’s texts before alleged murders revealed
🔮 “I then instructed my solicitors to make contact with the DPP and officer in charge to inform them that I’m willing to assist with a statement regarding Elizabeth’s involvement in the matter.
2026-10-27 · assertive framing · Lamarre-Condon said he wanted to ‘do the right thing’ for families of dead couple, court told
🔮 Lamarre-Condon said the second person “wasn’t even meant to be shot” but he couldn’t leave any witnesses, the man said.
2026-10-23 · assertive framing · ‘Pew, pew’: Lamarre-Condon allegedly confessed to friend about double murder
🔮 I was running a tad late or I would have loved to chat for longer.
2026-10-19 · assertive framing · ‘That’s so savage’: Accused killer allegedly broke into TV presenter’s home hours after rejection
🔮 “My kids needed stuff for school and I couldn’t afford it.”
2026-10-17 · assertive framing · Kelly’s abusive ex left her with thousands in debt. There was a way out
🔮 She said they subsequently spoke on the phone and he “asked me if I could do him a favour”.
2026-10-15 · assertive framing · Lamarre-Condon’s celebrity-chasing friend tells trial about ‘concerning’ phone request
🔮 He said that “the original shot would have been discharged at a very similar distance” of between five and ten centimetres from the door.
2026-10-14 · assertive framing · Lamarre-Condon jury shown video of gunshot through bedroom door
🔮 Moon said there was one officer who had the same type of cartridge, meaning it was “possibly a cartridge that may have been distributed to NSW Police at some time”.
2026-10-09 · assertive framing · Images reveal where bodies of Lamarre-Condon’s alleged victims were found
🔮 The Crown has foreshadowed that the court will hear evidence that Lamarre-Condon asked the friend who accompanied him on the first shopping trip whether he would fit inside the surfboard bag.
2026-10-08 · assertive framing · Lamarre-Condon captured on CCTV after alleged double murder
Also by Michaela Whitbourn
Top judge’s inflammatory WhatsApp message about deputy revealed amid bitter fight
2026-10-30 · The Sydney Morning Herald
‘If I don’t get to talk to you again’: Lamarre-Condon’s texts before alleged murders revealed
2026-10-29 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Lamarre-Condon said he wanted to ‘do the right thing’ for families of dead couple, court told
2026-10-27 · The Sydney Morning Herald
‘Pew, pew’: Lamarre-Condon allegedly confessed to friend about double murder
2026-10-23 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 30 articles by Michaela Whitbourn →
Perry Duffin
13 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction
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🔮 The accused had his police-issued pistol with him because “his training was that he was not allowed to leave a gun unminded in a car where it might be stolen”, the defence barrister said.
2026-09-22 · assertive framing · Alleged double murderer Lamarre-Condon acted in self-defence, court told
🔮 A 15-person jury was empanelled on Monday for the trial, which is expected to run for up to 12 weeks.
2026-09-22 · assertive framing · Beau Lamarre-Condon trial live updates: Opening addresses continue in former NSW police officer’s double murder trial
🔮 The Crown foreshadowed the jury would hear evidence that Lamarre-Condon set his alarm for 4.30am on February 19, 2024, and messaged a friend at 4.49am: “I’ll try to call you tonight and update you X.
2026-09-21 · assertive framing · Ex-cop accused of double murder allegedly dressed as Uber Eats rider, court hears
🔮 The opening address by Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield, SC, is expected to start after 2pm and run for about two hours.
2026-09-21 · assertive framing · Beau Lamarre-Condon trial live updates: Former NSW police officer’s trial begins over alleged murder of Paddington couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
Also by Perry Duffin
Body odour helped identify man accused of killing wife, court told
2026-10-26 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Manhunt under way after shots fired into south-west Sydney home with seven children inside
2026-10-25 · The Sydney Morning Herald
‘I committed heinous crimes’: Moore Park rapist’s message to victims revealed
2026-10-19 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney man allegedly discussed plans for childcare mass shooting with AI chatbot
2026-10-19 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 13 articles by Perry Duffin →

Topics

Crown Paddington Sydney the NSW Supreme Court the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service

Subjects

Baird PERSON · 7× Crown ORG · 4× Hatfield PERSON · 2× Lamarre-Condon PERSON · 2× Beau Lamarre-Condon’s PERSON · 1× Jesse Baird PERSON · 1× Luke Davies PERSON · 1× Paddington GPE · 1× Sydney GPE · 1× the NSW Supreme Court ORG · 1×

Narrative

During his opening yesterday, Hatfield alleged that Lamarre-Condon developed an “an obsessive and jealous infatuation” with Baird after a short relationship that started in late 2022 and was ended for the first time by Baird in April 2023.
framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-22
🔮 A 15-person jury was empanelled on Monday for the trial, which is expected to run for up to 12 weeks.
2026-09-22 · The Sydney Morning Herald
Beau Lamarre-Condon trial live updates: Opening addresses continue in former NSW police officer’s double murder trial · assertive framing

Claims (10 extracted, 0 hedged)

The former police officer has pleaded not guilty to murdering Sydney couple Jesse Baird, 26, and Luke Davies, 29, in the eastern suburbs on February 19, 2024. asserted
officer → plead → February
He has also pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated breaking and entering into Baird’s Paddington home in August 2023 and stealing a mobile phone and wallet belonging to Baird. asserted
He → plead → Baird
A 15-person jury was empanelled on Monday for the trial, which is expected to run for up to 12 weeks. asserted
which → empanel → weeks
In the event all 15 jurors are still present at the end of the trial, a ballot will be conducted to reduce their number to 12. asserted
ballot → conduct → 12
Yesterday, Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield, SC, started delivering his opening address to the jury. asserted
Hatfield → start → jury
This sets out the Crown’s case and is not evidence, but it is a guide to the evidence the prosecution expects to call in the months ahead. asserted
prosecution → set → months
Lamarre-Condon is entitled to the presumption of innocence and his barrister John Stratton, SC, will deliver an opening address on Tuesday after Hatfield finishes his remarks. asserted
Hatfield → entitle → remarks
During his opening yesterday, Hatfield alleged that Lamarre-Condon developed an “an obsessive and jealous infatuation” with Baird after a short relationship that started in late 2022 and was ended for the first time by Baird in April 2023. asserted
that → allege → April
After a brief resumption of their relationship later that year, it was “firmly and irretrievably ended” by Baird in November 2023, the Crown says. asserted
Crown → end → November
The Crown case is that the murder of Baird was premeditated but that he killed Davies, Baird’s new boyfriend, to eliminate a witness to his crime. asserted
he → premeditate → crime
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