Former Sydney police officer acts out shooting in court

Beau Lamarre-Condon stood in the witness box at the New South Wales Supreme Court on Monday to physically demonstrate how he claims he fired the shots that killed Jesse Baird. The former police officer reenacted the movements of the struggle inside the Paddington home where Baird and his partner, Luke Davies, were found dead on 19 February 2024. Lamarre-Condon faces two murder charges and one aggravated break and enter charge, all of which he has denied.

During cross-examination, crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield asked Lamarre-Condon to stand and place his rosary beads on the table. The officer then mimed pushing Baird away while holding a knife near his throat. Hatfield described the accused's actions to the jury, noting that Lamarre-Condon extended his left arm to push Baird's right hand away. The former officer then gestured to pulling a pistol from his belt and firing it toward Baird's right shoulder.

Lamarre-Condon told Justice Natalie Adams that he aimed for Baird's right shoulder during the struggle. He stated that his arm extended but could not specify the exact degree of extension because there was constant movement. "This happened very, very quick," the accused said. He clarified that he was pinned by Baird immediately before pushing back and firing, although he described the moments leading up to that point as involving continuous motion.

The prosecutor pointed out that Lamarre-Condon previously testified he was pinned during the struggle. Hatfield asked if the new description of constant movement suggested a different account. Lamarre-Condon maintained that he was pinned right before the push and the shot, but emphasized the dynamic nature of the event prior to that moment.

The officer also detailed the state of the victims at the time of the shooting. Lamarre-Condon testified that both Baird and Davies were wearing only underwear and no shoes. He reiterated his position from last week that he intended to fire the first shot but that the second bullet was accidental. The trial continues under Justice Adams.

The case centers on the use of a police service weapon in a domestic setting. Lamarre-Condon's testimony aims to establish the sequence of events and the physical proximity of the parties during the incident. The jury is evaluating his reenactment alongside previous statements and physical evidence from the Paddington residence.