Former Australian Police Officer Accused of Double Murder Takes the Stand
Former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon has begun giving evidence in the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney, where he is on trial over the 2024 shooting of two men. He has pleaded not guilty.
Beau Lamarre-Condon, a 31-year-old former New South Wales police officer, began giving evidence on Thursday in his double murder trial at the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney, Australia. He is accused of fatally shooting couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies with his police service weapon at Baird's home in Paddington on 19 February 2024. The case has drawn significant public attention.
Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter. He is the first witness for the defence before a 15-person jury, and the court gallery was filled with members of the public.
Evidence on the relationship
He told the court about his relationship with Baird. According to him, in October and November 2022 they were friends with a sexual relationship, and from December 2022 they began going on romantic dates, including trips to the cinema, dinners and musicals. He said Baird shared his interests, including sport and scuba diving, and that both held diving licences.
Time in the police force
Lamarre-Condon also spoke about distressing situations he faced as an officer, saying he could vividly recall 12 to 15 incidents, including people who had jumped in front of trains and several hangings. He became emotional while describing a colleague who shot himself at work.
He alleged that a former supervisor made homophobic remarks while he was an openly gay officer. He also said he was transferred to the police youth command to "escape" officers who were "tormenting" him at Surry Hills police station.
The court adjourned for lunch, with his evidence due to resume at 2pm.
