Mother of Ex-Police Officer Charged with Perverting Justice in Murder Case

Coleen Lamarre, 63, was arrested in Balmain, Sydney, and refused bail after allegedly attempting to influence a key witness in her son's upcoming double murder trial.

The Charge

Coleen Lamarre was charged on Wednesday with intending to pervert the course of justice. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment. She is accused of attempting to influence a key witness to change their evidence in her son's trial.

Lamarre appeared via video link at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. Her barrister applied for bail; the application was refused. She is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday.

Background

Coleen Lamarre is a former employee of the New South Wales Police force.

Her son, Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, 30, is a former NSW Police senior constable. He has been charged with the murders of Jesse Baird, a former television presenter, and Luke Davies, a Qantas flight attendant. The alleged murders occurred in February 2024 at Baird's Paddington home in Sydney's inner-east.

Police allege Lamarre-Condon shot the victims with his police-issued Glock pistol. The bodies were found on February 27, 2024, inside surfboard bags at a rural property in Bungonia, New South Wales, approximately 200 kilometers south of Sydney. Lamarre-Condon surrendered to police on February 23, 2024, four days after the alleged disposal of the bodies.

Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to two counts of domestic violence-related murder and one count of aggravated break and enter. The case has been committed for trial in the NSW Supreme Court. He was dismissed from the NSW Police force after being charged.

Trial Proceedings

The trial is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to last two to three months. Prosecutors have indicated their witness list could include 200 to 300 individuals, though this number may be reduced to approximately 100 actual testimonies after discussions with the defense.

The defense team is awaiting evidence including reports from telecommunications experts, crime scene reconstructions, and transcripts of jail calls.

Legal Representation

Lamarre-Condon has changed lawyers multiple times. In November 2024, his defense lawyer John Walford was replaced by Legal Aid. Legal Aid later withdrew, and solicitor Ben Archbold now represents him.

During a recent court hearing, Lamarre-Condon stated he opposes any order for a closed court and will "not be silenced."