Beau Lamarre-Condon developed ‘obsession’ with Jesse Baird before fatal double shooting, court hears

A court sketch depicts Beau Lamarre-Condon during his murder trial at the NSW supreme court. He has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. Photograph: Rocco Fazzari/AAP View image in fullscreen A court sketch depicts Beau Lamarre-Condon during his murder trial at the NSW supreme court. He has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. Photograph: Rocco Fazzari/AAP Beau Lamarre-Condon developed ‘obsession’ with Jesse Baird before fatal double shooting, court hears The 31-year-old former police officer has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder as his trial begins in Sydney’s supreme court Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A former police officer allegedly developed an “infatuation and obsession” with one of his victims, and disguised himself as an Uber Eats rider before shooting two men, a court has heard. Beau Lamarre-Condon, 31, pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter as his trial began in Sydney’s supreme court on Monday. He has been accused of fatally shooting Jesse Baird, 26, and Baird’s partner, Luke Davies, 29, with his police service weapon at Baird’s Paddington home in February 2024. Appearing in the dock at the King Street courthouse in a light grey suit, dark tie and white shirt, the 31-year-old repeated his pleas. View image in fullscreen Luke Davies and Jesse Baird. Composite: NSW Police/Network 10 He offered to plead guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter, but it was rejected by the prosecution. As the jury selection process began on Monday morning, crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield said Baird and Lamarre-Condon had become romantically involved from late 2022 and into 2023. “[Lamarre-Condon] developed an infatuation and obsession with Jesse Baird which manifested itself in a range of compulsive behaviour,” Hatfield told the jury panel. This behaviour escalated after Baird ended all contact with Lamarre-Condon in November 2023, the court heard. The crown alleged Lamarre-Condon began planning the murder of Jesse Baird in early 2024. He started investigating ways to conceal the sound of gunfire, hired a vehicle under his mother’s name, and bought a surfboard bag to dispose of the body, Hatfield told the jury members. Lamarre-Condon retained his police service weapon when he had “no need to be using it” and disguised himself, the court heard. 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, the court heard. “He then proceeded to the kitchen, where he shot Jesse twice, he then proceeded back to the bedroom where he shot Luke Davies,” Hatfield said. Their bodies were found almost 200km away in Bungonia, eight days after they were killed. The prosecution said Lamarre-Condon had earlier unsuccessfully tried to sink the bodies in a nearby dam. Lamarre-Condon’s case has attracted significant attention, with members of the public and media filling out the entire courtroom on Monday morning. Baird and Davies’ loved ones, including their mothers and siblings, also watched proceedings at the courthouse. The jury has been chosen and the trial is expected to continue for another two to three months. Explore more on these topics Australia news Sydney New South Wales Australian police and policing news Share Reuse this content