Beau Lamarre-Condon faced intense questioning on Friday as his cross-examination concluded in the NSW Supreme Court over the shooting deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
The 31-year-old former police officer is fighting two counts of murder after the men were shot inside Mr Baird’s Paddington terrace on February 19, 2024. Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC pressed the accused on whether the killings were pre-planned, pointing to cleanup efforts, phone messages sent after the shootings, and the rental of a vehicle. Mr Lamarre-Condon maintained that the deaths occurred during separate struggles and denied acting purely in self-preservation.
“It was never a plan to murder anybody,” Mr Lamarre-Condon told the New South Wales supreme court on Friday, according to The Guardian.
Did You Know? Mr Lamarre-Condon told the jury that if he had planned a murder, he would have used two stolen vehicles and a gun not linked to him, prompting Mr Hatfield to reply that no one was saying it was a good plan.
Courtroom Clashes Over Stalking and Relationships
The trial examined the relationship between the accused and Mr Baird, which included a brief casual romance in 2023. Mr Hatfield accused the former officer of being desperate to win Mr Baird back, citing an Instagram story featuring a floral bouquet posted on November 9, 2023, to deter a romantic rival.
Mr Lamarre-Condon conceded he lied and gaslit Mr Baird when confronted about the post. When questioned about stalking allegations and an unrequited attachment, the accused replied that he was “smitten, yes, obsessed, no.”
Disputed Claims of Self-Defence
Mr Lamarre-Condon testified that he went to the Paddington address to retrieve belongings, including a ring and a surfboard, and disguised himself as an Uber Eats delivery rider to avoid accusations of harassment. He claimed Mr Baird lunged at him with a knife, leading him to fire his police-issue pistol to incapacitate him.
Mr Hatfield challenged that account directly in court.
“It was murder, plain and simple. You murdered Jesse Baird didn’t you?” Mr Hatfield said.
“I did not,” Mr Lamarre-Condon replied.
Next Steps in the NSW Supreme Court Trial
The trial before Justice Natalie Adams is scheduled to resume on Monday, when Mr Lamarre-Condon’s defence barrister will have the opportunity to re-examine his client.
Frequently Asked Questions
What weapons were used in the incident?
Mr Lamarre-Condon is accused of using his police service pistol to shoot Mr Baird twice and Mr Davies once through a door inside the Paddington terrace.
What purchases did the accused make following the deaths?
According to evidence presented in court, the former officer made hardware purchases including cement, a wheelbarrow, tarpaulins, bin liners, a shovel, and a chainsaw, alongside purchasing surfboard bags used to transport the bodies.
Where did the events take place?
The fatal shootings occurred at a share home in Paddington, Sydney, on February 19, 2024, with subsequent attempts made to dispose of the bodies at a farm south-west of Sydney and behind a monastery.
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