By Karim Hammam
Former New South Wales police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon began giving evidence on Thursday in his double murder trial at the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney. The 31-year-old is accused of fatally shooting television presenter Jesse Baird and his partner Luke Davies with his service weapon at Baird’s Paddington home on 19 February 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter.
Defence opens case
Lamarre-Condon was the first witness called by his defence team after prosecutors concluded their case on Thursday morning. Over seven weeks, the prosecution called more than 50 witnesses, presented hours of CCTV footage, and introduced pages of social media messages. Dressed in a light grey suit, dark tie, and white collared shirt, Lamarre-Condon swore to tell the truth before a 15-person jury.
Self-defence claim
Defence lawyer John Stratton SC has previously argued that Baird and Davies were accidentally shot during two separate struggles with Lamarre-Condon, who was acting in self-defence. The defence contends the officer cleaned up the scene and disposed of the bodies because he “panicked considerably.” The trial before Justice Natalie Adams continues.
