The court case of Beau Lamarre-Condon began this week. The former NSW police officer stands accused of killing Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. His barrister outlined the defence case in his opening address and said he acted in self-defence.
Trigger Warning: This article contains references readers could find distressing. Please take care while reading.
Former police officer Lamarre-Condon is charged with the murder of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in February 2024, and has been in custody since.
On Monday, the 31-year-old pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated break and enter of Baird’s home in August 2023, as well as stealing a mobile phone and wallet belonging to Baird.
In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield said Baird and Lamarre-Condon became romantically involved from late 2022 and into 2023. Baird ended all contact with Lamarre-Condon in November 2023.
Hatfield alleged Lamarre-Condon began planning the murder of Jesse Baird in early 2024 and that of his new boyfriend to “eliminate him as a witness to the murder”.
On 19 February 2024, he wore a motorcycle helmet and dressed as an Uber Eats rider to enter Baird’s house with a key he had previously obtained.
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Lamarre-Condon was disguised to save ’embarrassment’
On Tuesday, Lamarre-Condon’s barrister, John Stratton, SC, outlined the defence case in his opening address. Stratton said that Lamarre-Condon went to Baird’s home to collect his belongings, including jewellery.
He said Lamarre-Condon was disguised as an Uber Eats rider because he didn’t want to “go through the embarrassment” of seeing Baird.
In his opening address, Stratton said Lamarre-Condon entered the home when nobody answered, knocking at the door.
He was “surprised by Jesse Baird”. Who “understandably did not recognise him because he was still wearing the motorcycle helmet”. The two men struggled.
Lamarre-Condon’s police gun went off twice and fatally wounded Baird.
During this alleged struggle, the gun was “flung into the loungeroom”, and Lamarre-Condon picked up a mobile phone and started ringing Triple Zero.
He then encountered Davies, who “was now holding the gun”, the defence said.
Stratton said that Lamarre-Condon “grabbed Mr Davies by the arm and pushed the gun away from himself and towards Mr Davies”.
The defence said that during the struggle Davies “pulled the trigger and fatally shot himself”.
Sister claims Baird feared Lamarre-Condon
Baird’s mother and sister took the stand on Tuesday.
Baird’s sister Kourtnee testified he told her he was afraid of Lamarre-Condon in December 2023.
“Jesse said that he was fearful that he was a NSW Police officer;” she said, “He had access to a weapon, a gun; he said that he would go on his phone and block contacts from Jesse’s male friends.”
Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. Image: InstagramBaird’s mother Helen choked back tears while giving evidence about her close relationship with her son.
The trial is estimated to run for up to 12 weeks.
luke daMore than 100 witnesses are expected to be called during the trial.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via their website, or text 0458 737 732.
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