EXCLUSIVE
A former detective hired by accused cop killer Beau Lamarre-Condon to represent him in the alleged murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies says his client is doing “well” behind bars.
Solicitor John Walford served 20 years in the New South Wales Police Force, where he was a senior criminal investigator, qualified criminal analyst and prosecutor.
He then spent 15 years as a solicitor in the New South Wales Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, before opening his own suburban practice, the Penrith Law Centre.
Walford, who is the only attorney representing Lamarre-Condon, said his client had not yet indicated how he would respond to the murder charges against him.
“I’ve seen him a couple of times,” Walford told Daily Mail Australia. ‘I have no instructions on this at the moment, it is too early.
Beau Lamarre-Condon (above) has hired a former detective to represent him as he faces charges of murdering Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird and Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies.
“We had a conversation about certain things that the police acted on the other day.”
Asked how the 28-year-old police officer was coping with being in custody for the first time, Walford said: “He’s fine.” He’s fine.’
Lamarre-Condon is accused of murdering former Studio Ten presenter Mr Baird, 26, and Qantas flight attendant Mr Davies, 29, in the central London suburb of Paddington. city of Sydney, on February 19.
Police allege Lamarre-Condon shot the couple dead with his service pistol at Mr Baird’s home and then dumped their bodies two days later on the Southern Tablelands.
Baird and Lamarre-Condon had previously had what police described as an on-again, off-again romance, but Baird had not wanted to get into a relationship.
Lamarre-Condon, a former celebrity hunter who posted photos of himself with international stars on social media, handed himself in to police in Bondi last Friday.
He appeared at Waverley Local Court that afternoon when he was represented by a lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission and did not apply for bail.
Lamarre-Condon is accused of murdering Mr Baird (left) and Mr Davies (right) in Paddington town center on February 19. He then allegedly dumped their bodies on a bush property.
“There’s been a bit of confusion at first,” Walford said. “He just entered a police station.
“I wasn’t represented, so it was that confusing time of the weekend.
“I managed to get in touch with him on Monday and we sorted everything out. I’m the only one involved in this at the moment.
Barrister John Walford served 20 years in the New South Wales Police.
Following his court appearance, Lamarre-Condon was transported to the Metropolitan Retention and Reception Center (MRRC) in Silverwater, where he is being held in protective custody.
The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Sergeant Sasha Pinazza, and the lead investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Glen Browne, spoke to Lamarre-Condon at the MRRC on Tuesday.
“I went in first and gave him some legal advice and then arranged for the police to attend,” Mr Walford said.
Walford was not present when Lamarre-Condon spoke to investigators.
“Mr Lamarre gave some information to the police, who acted on it and it is done,” Mr Walford said.
“It was done correctly the way I set it up and therefore there was no problem.”
About two hours after detectives left the prison, police located the bodies of Baird and Davies at a property in Bungonia, about 180 kilometers southwest of Sydney.
Police, including Commissioner Karen Webb, have been providing regular updates on the investigation.
Walford, who had no prior relationship with Lamarre-Condon, said his client had not yet retained a lawyer.
“We have options in the future but it depends on what their instructions are and then we will make a decision,” Walford said.
‘I’m just waiting for a brief evidence before I see him again.
“I hope to come back next week and try to fix some things between me and him.”
Lamarre-Condon is due in court in April.