Coleen Lamarre, mother of former officer Beau Lamarre-Condon, faces charges of perverting the course of justice for allegedly trying to influence a key witness in her son's upcoming double murder trial. She was arrested on Wednesday morning at her Balmain home and subsequently refused bail. Her son, Lamarre-Condon, is accused of murdering Luke Davies and Jesse Baird two years ago, allegedly using his police-issued firearm at Baird's Paddington residence.
Coleen Lamarre, 63, a former employee of NSW Police, is slated to appear before the bail division court on Thursday. The charge of perverting the course of justice carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. Police allege that Lamarre-Condon shot the couple before attempting to dispose of their bodies. He was officially removed from the NSW Police force a month after the alleged incident and has been in custody since. His trial is currently scheduled for September 21.
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The witness interference allegation came to light when the witness's lawyer alerted the police. Lamarre-Condon himself has previously accused some investigators of 'serious misconduct and corruption'. Questions concerning firearm control and the police presence at queer events have surfaced in the aftermath of the initial charges against Lamarre-Condon.
Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Baird, a former television presenter, and Davies, a Qantas flight attendant. The pair were found after Lamarre-Condon, then 29, surrendered to authorities. The alleged disposal of the bodies occurred at Bungonia, approximately 180km south-west of Sydney. Coleen Lamarre's matter was briefly mentioned in local court, and she did not appear via audiovisual link from custody. She will remain behind bars for at least two weeks.
