Former NSW officer claims manslaughter as double‑murder trial continues

The Guardian reported that former New South Wales police officer Beau Lamarre‑Condon gave evidence for a second day in his double‑murder trial. He has pleaded not guilty to the killings of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies that occurred in early 2024. During his testimony, Lamarre‑Condon said he is “guilty of manslaughter” but insisted the shooting of Baird “wasn’t intentional”. The trial centres on accusations that he used his police service weapon to fatally shoot Baird and his partner, Luke Davies, inside Baird’s home in Paddington, Sydney, on 19 February 2024. Prosecutors maintain the killings were murders, while the defendant argues the deaths resulted from an unintended act. The case is being heard in Sydney courts, where the former officer continues to contest the charges while acknowledging responsibility for the deaths at a lesser level.

Why it matters

The trial tests how former police officers are held accountable for lethal force, and the manslaughter claim could affect the severity of any eventual sentence.

Key details

Location

Australia · Oceania

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

6 Nov 2026, 07:06 IST

Key names

Beau Lamarre-Condon, Jesse Baird, Luke Davies, Baird’s Paddington

Section

Health

Figure cited

The former police officer is accused of fatally shooting Baird and his partner, Luke Davies, with his police service weapon in Baird’s Paddington home in Sydney on 19 February 2024. (The Guardian)

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianBeau Lamarre-Condon tells double murder trial shooting of Jesse Baird wasn’t intentional but ‘it was my fault’ 6 Nov, 07:06

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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