Former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon pleaded not guilty in the New South Wales Supreme Court to murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
Lamarre-Condon, 31, faces two counts of domestic violence-related murder following the deaths of 26-year-old television presenter Baird and 29-year-old Davies at a Sydney terrace on February 19, 2024. He has also pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated break and enter relating to an alleged break-in at Baird's share-house in August 2023.
Crown prosecutors allege Lamarre-Condon tried to sink the victims' bodies in a dam in Bungonia, regional New South Wales, before dumping them near a fence line.
Allegations of tracking and social media activity
Witness Damon Wilson testified he went on one date with Lamarre-Condon in August 2023 and did not hear from him until three months later, after Wilson began seeing Baird. Wilson said Lamarre-Condon added him to a close friends list on Instagram and posted videos playing on a bed with Baird and at a concert, alongside photos falsely implying they were a couple.
Wilson messaged Baird to ask: "I just wanted to check something because I'm a bit confused, I was added to Beau's close friends very randomly after we met and he posts a lot about you. Just want to make sure we don't cross any lines."
Baird replied: "That's all good, I appreciate you asking.. Beau and I are [obviousy] close but we're not together or in a relationship, I wouldn't be chatting if we were, I'm not that person."
After Wilson stayed at Baird's home in Paddington in November, Baird stopped replying to messages because Wilson's number was blocked on his phone without his knowledge. On November 18, Lamarre-Condon sent Wilson a lengthy text accusing Baird of manipulation and mind games.
Lamarre-Condon wrote: "Hey Damon, I was debating sending this message or not but we obviously dated before but I would hate to see you hurt the way I have been, and multiple others. I have nothing against you."
He claimed other men sent him direct messages warning him about Baird, writing: "When I first started see Jesse 11 months ago, I got multiple [direct messages] from other guys saying "good luck when he gaslights/plays you"."
Lamarre-Condon added that Baird led him on to believe they would enter a relationship before changing his mind, writing: "he then sent me this amazing message saying I was everything on paper he was looking for, but he wasn't ready for a relationship." He urged Wilson to "be very careful" and said: "It took me so long to recover from all the manipulation."
Colleagues and police officer testify
Senior Constable Reece Tompkins testified he worked with Lamarre-Condon between 2020 and 2023. Tompkins said Lamarre-Condon stated he was attracted to Baird and thought he was "the one", but acknowledged the feeling was not mutual.
Tompkins told the court Lamarre-Condon created a fake dating profile to check on Baird. He also said Lamarre-Condon admitted unlocking Baird's phone while Baird showered to delete a message and contact from another man.
On December 13, 2023, Lamarre-Condon drove Tompkins into Paddington in his Tesla to search for Baird's partner. Tompkins said Lamarre-Condon noted he knew where Baird parked his ute and claimed he knew "people that could get rid of Jesse's car", adding that he "had been a cop for five years and knew what they'd look for."
Tompkins said he felt very uncomfortable during the drive and deliberately avoided Lamarre-Condon afterwards.
Channel Ten freelance producer Briony Blackstone, who worked with Baird on Studio 10 in Pyrmont, testified Baird seemed noticeably agitated at work. She recalled Baird saying: "I've been casually seeing a guy and his behaviour is a bit stalkerish.. I probably like his dog better than him."
Blackstone said Baird told her he blocked Lamarre-Condon on Instagram and saw him walk past him in Paddington, noting Lamarre-Condon lived nowhere near him. Channel Ten employee Emily Dixon, who worked with Baird on Totally Wild in Brisbane, also gave emotional evidence.
Fear of police firearm and final days
Corey-Dean Thorpe, who was in a relationship with Baird for five years before Baird moved from Brisbane to Sydney, testified Baird appeared petrified during a phone call on November 16, 2023.
Baird sent screenshots showing Lamarre-Condon falsely suggested on Instagram that Baird gave him flowers, while blocking Baird from viewing the posts.
Thorpe testified Baird repeatedly said: "He has a gun." Thorpe said Baird was extremely scared to report Lamarre-Condon to police because the officer held a gun and a blue card required for Baird's work with Channel Ten and the Australian Football League.
Thorpe said Baird caught Lamarre-Condon going through his phone at night and unfollowing gay men on Instagram. He added that Lamarre-Condon once texted Baird after driving past him: "I hope you're enjoying that coffee with that guy."
Baird's long-term friend Matthew Edwards testified Baird expressed discomfort about Lamarre-Condon on November 9, 2023, leading to a cancelled trip to Bali.
On February 3, 2024, Baird told Edwards in Centennial Park: "No, thank f***, I'm so done with him. Once I move house, this will be the last piece of me that Beau knows."
Edwards spoke with Baird on February 18, 2024, when Baird was having drinks with Davies. Edwards messaged Baird the next afternoon but received no reply. Edwards described Baird and Davies as "the real deal."
Defence case and prosecution claims
Defence lawyer John Stratton told the court Lamarre-Condon entered Baird's house dressed as an Uber Eats driver in a motorbike helmet and high-vis to retrieve jewellery rather than to kill anyone. Stratton claimed Lamarre-Condon carried his service firearm in accordance with police training.
Stratton argued Baird held a knife and grabbed the gun during a struggle, causing it to discharge fatally. He claimed Lamarre-Condon then encountered Davies, who pulled the trigger and fatally shot himself. Stratton said Lamarre-Condon panicked, cleaned the scene, and threw the knife into a Lawson Street yard.
Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC alleged three gunshot sounds captured on neighbour security footage in Paddington killed both men. Hatfield alleged Lamarre-Condon told a friend he "killed two people", saying his police job had "f***ed me up" and describing the shooting as "Pew pew."
Hatfield presented evidence that Lamarre-Condon bought a surfboard case for $85 from Decathlon at Westfield Miranda and cleaning supplies, cable ties, and garbage bags at Bunnings in Alexandria.
The court heard Lamarre-Condon phoned a police complaint about workplace bullying while en route to hand himself in to Bondi detectives, where he mentioned depression and schizophrenia medication. Hatfield SC stated Lamarre-Condon was not on mental health medication and that mental health impairment is not part of his defence.
Baird's sister Kourtnee testified her brother feared he was being followed by Lamarre-Condon and felt fearful of his weapon. Baird's mother also broke down on the witness stand during her evidence.
