The NSW Supreme Court empanelled a 15‑member jury on Monday for a trial expected to run up to 12 weeks; if all jurors remain at the conclusion, a ballot will be held to reduce the panel to the standard 12.
Lamarre‑Condon faces charges of murdering Baird, 26, and Davies, 29, as well as a count of aggravated breaking and entering at Baird’s Paddington home in August 2023, during which a mobile phone and wallet were allegedly stolen. He has entered not‑guilty pleas on all counts.
In his opening remarks, Crown prosecutor Hatfield alleged that Lamarre‑Condon developed an obsessive, jealous infatuation with Baird after a brief relationship that began in late 2022 and ended repeatedly, finally in November 2023. The Crown’s case asserts that Baird’s murder was pre‑meditated and that Davies, Baird’s new boyfriend, was killed to eliminate a witness to the crime.
Lamarre‑Condon’s defence counsel, John Stratton, SC, will deliver his own opening address on Wednesday, emphasizing the accused’s presumption of innocence and contesting the Crown’s narrative.
The court provided contact details for support services, including the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service (1800 RESPECT) and the Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491), for anyone affected by the proceedings.