In a dramatic Supreme Court arraignment, former New South Wales police officer Beau Lamarre Condon pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder and one charge of aggravated break-and-enter. Reporting for 7NEWS Australia, this is the first time Condon has spoken publicly about the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies — and his brief statement in court raised fresh questions about the conduct of the prosecution and police.
Table of Contents
- What happened in court
- Charges and plea
- Condon's statement and allegations
- Court reaction and next steps
- Legal terms explained
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in court
Condon appeared via video link for arraignment after entering a not guilty plea to the criminal charges against him. During the hearing he delivered a prepared statement that the Crown described as a rambling outburst, in which he accused New South Wales Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of misconduct and corruption.
Charges and plea
At the arraignment Condon pleaded not guilty to:
- Two counts of murder (the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies)
- One count of aggravated break-and-enter
The judge, Justice Peter Hamill, set the matter down for trial in September next year. The trial is expected to run for two to three months.
Condon's statement and allegations
In his statement — described in court as appearing pre-prepared — Condon made a number of allegations about how his case was handled. Key points from his remarks included:
- He accused NSW Police and the DPP of "misconduct and corruption."
- He claimed he had offered to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in relation to Jesse Baird only, but says that offer was rejected.
- He argued that this rejected offer demonstrates he takes accountability and shows remorse, and that he should therefore be entitled to an early plea discount.
- He told the court the public deserved to know the "truth" and warned he would oppose any application by the DPP to have proceedings heard behind closed doors or subject to suppression orders.
"If the DPP tried to apply to have these proceedings heard behind closed doors or suppressed in any way, I would reject that application."
Court reaction and next steps
Justice Hamill suggested Condon was best placed to let his lawyer do the legal speaking, rather than addressing the court directly. Condon's mother, Colleen, was in the courtroom to support him and was observed nodding during his statement.
The judge fixed a trial date for September next year, with an estimated duration of two to three months. Between now and then, the Crown and defence will exchange evidence and argue any pre-trial applications, including any applications about publication restrictions or suppression orders.
Legal terms explained
For readers less familiar with court procedure, a few terms used during the hearing are explained below:
- Arraignment — the court appearance where the accused is formally charged and asked to enter a plea (guilty or not guilty).
- DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) — the office responsible for prosecuting serious criminal matters on behalf of the state.
- Manslaughter vs Murder — manslaughter generally refers to unlawful killing without the intention or premeditation required for murder; murder carries a higher culpability and usually more severe penalties.
- Early plea (or plea discount) — in some jurisdictions defendants who plead guilty early may receive a sentencing discount to reflect saved court resources, cooperation, or remorse.
- Suppression order — a court order that limits or prevents publication of some or all details of legal proceedings to ensure a fair trial or protect privacy or safety.
Conclusion
The arraignment marked the first public remarks from Beau Lamarre Condon since he was charged over the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. While he pleaded not guilty, his accusations against police and the DPP are likely to add further complexity to pre-trial preparation. The trial will run in September next year and is expected to last two to three months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does Beau Lamarre Condon face?
He faces two counts of murder and one count of aggravated break-and-enter.
Did Condon plead guilty?
No. He pleaded not guilty at his Supreme Court arraignment.
When will the trial take place?
The trial is scheduled to begin in September next year and is expected to run for two to three months.
What did Condon allege in court?
He accused NSW Police and the DPP of misconduct and corruption, said he attempted to plead guilty to a lesser manslaughter charge for Jesse Baird only, and argued he should be eligible for an early plea discount. He also said he would reject any attempt to suppress or close proceedings to the public.
Will there be any suppression orders?
No suppression orders were made at the arraignment. Condon said he would oppose any such application by the DPP. Any application of that nature would be considered by the court in pre-trial hearings.
Who reported this coverage?
This report is based on coverage by 7NEWS Australia.
