Beau Lamarre-Condon tells double murder trial shooting of Jesse Baird wasn’t intentional but ‘it was my fault’

Beau Lamarre-Condon returns to the witness box for the second day of his evidence in his double murder trial. The former police officer is accused of shooting Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in Sydney in 2024. Lamarre-Condon, a lifelong surfer, discussed his purchase of a surfboard cover on February 17, 2024, after discarding a damaged one.

He testified that he signed out his firearm for a shift on February 16, three days before the alleged murders. Lamarre-Condon claimed he had permission to do this and stopped at East Village in Zetland to get his car washed on his way to work. He stated that getting coffee or stopping elsewhere was common for police officers on their way to work.

Lamarre-Condon admitted he was considering stopping at Paddington to retrieve belongings from Baird before the other man returned home, which would have placed him in a similar situation to his current one. He stated that he shot his gun in the Royal National Park to test its volume, as he was contemplating taking his own life. Lamarre-Condon explained that he was cautious not to harm any innocent person and mentioned that police typically wear eye protection when firing their guns.

When particulate matter entered his eyes from the first shot, he said, "Shit, there's stuff in my eyes" and covered his firearm with a brown paper bag before firing a second shot. He claimed that a small paper bag would not alter the sound of a gunshot. Lamarre-Condon stated his relationship with Baird was not exclusive, admitting they were "doing things that couples were doing," including dining together and spending time together. The trial continues in the New South Wales Supreme Court.