Hosted by Stephen Stockwell
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
This episode examines the detailed forensic and police evidence presented in the trial of former police officer Beau Lamar Condon, who is accused of murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies at a home in Paddington. Host Stephen Stockwell and legal affairs reporter Jamie McKinnon walk through the meticulous mapping of the crime scene, including blood spatter analysis using luminol testing, bullet holes discovered under floorboards and inside a bedroom door, and personal belongings recovered from a skip bin in Cronulla. The discussion also covers the defense cross-examination regarding DNA mixtures found on the accused officer's service firearm and the competing narratives presented by the Crown and the defense regarding how the killings unfolded.
Stephen Stockwell opens the episode, setting the context and introducing the forensic focus of the case.
Police uncover evidence in a skip bin at the Bowls Club, prompting deeper investigation.
Jamie McKinnon explains how luminol reveals blood traces and the significance of the findings.
Exploration of hidden blood stains and bullet holes beneath the floorboards of the house.
Details of items found in the skip bin and how police were alerted to the crime scene.
DNA mixtures found on the police pistol and implications for the defense case.
Discussion of the CCTV footage, audio of gunshots, and how it was introduced in court.
Explanation of how and when court exhibits are released to the public and media.
Preview of upcoming cross-examinations and the direction of the trial moving forward.
Skip Bin Discoverystory
A groundskeeper at the Cronulla Bowls Club found blood-stained bedding, clothing, and identification cards belonging to Luke Davies in a skip bin, prompting the entire police investigation.
Luminol Testing Glowstrategy
Senior Sergeant Bronwyn Lansley explained how luminol spray reveals a blue glow that helps investigators detect potential bloodstains, though certain cleaning products can trigger the same reaction.
Investigators found bloodstains, a bullet hole, and DNA matching Jesse Baird underneath the floorboards of the Paddington house.
Door Defect Repairstory
Months after the shooting, police noticed a repaired defect on a bedroom door that, when stripped back, revealed stippling characteristics from a discharged firearm.
Gun DNA Resultsdata
Defense counsel questioned forensic results from the service pistol, confirming mixed DNA profiles where neither the victim nor the accused could be excluded.
Competing Defense Narrativedebate
The defense argues that a struggle occurred over the gun and Luke Davies accidentally shot himself, contradicting the Crown's allegation of an execution-style shooting.
“It was the biggest fraud in Australian history.”
“The forensic detail that we've seen here, Jamie, has been at times kind of graphic, but also at other times sort of deeply personal, right?”
“There were blood stains on a timber beam underneath the floor, a bullet hole in the kitchen floor, a fired gun cartridge above a kitchen cabinet and another hole in a bedroom door, which wasn't discovered until just two months before this trial.”
“The police are doing a review of the, I guess, the entire case, right? They've got a number of people involved in this.”
From a skip bin at a Cronulla bowls club, to underneath the floorboards of Jesse Baird's Brown Street home: the forensic details of the police investigation into the alleged murders of Jesse and Luke have been laid out before the jury. Evidence of blood-stained belongings, DNA samples, a bullet hole, and a fired gun cartridge are all part of the Crown’s case about what allegedly happened inside the Paddington home. If you have any questions you’d like Jamie and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected] mailto:[email protected]. Family and domestic violence support: If you need help, contact 1800 Respect https://1800respect.org.au/ national helpline on 1800 737 732. The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
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