Beau Lamarre-Condon Denies Stalking Alleged Murder Victim Jesse Baird
Former officer faces cross-examination regarding obsession claims and relationship history with Jesse Baird.
1Court Testimony Continues
Former NSW Police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon is currently undergoing a fourth day of cross-examination in his murder trial. He faces charges for the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, which occurred on February 19, 2024. Lamarre-Condon maintains that both individuals died during separate struggles over his police-issued firearm.
2Denial of Stalking Allegations
During the proceedings, prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC challenged Lamarre-Condon regarding his behavior following his initial break-up with Baird in April 2023. The defendant explicitly denied claims that he stalked Baird or monitored his movements. He characterized their separation as an amicable split, rejecting suggestions of obsessive or predatory monitoring behavior.
3Obsession Claims Challenged
Prosecutors argued that Lamarre-Condon was obsessed with Baird from the start, potentially influenced by Baird's status as a television presenter. Lamarre-Condon dismissed these claims, stating he valued Baird for his personality rather than his career. He admitted to being smitten but insisted that his feelings did not constitute an unhealthy obsession.
4Digital Privacy Breaches
The court reviewed evidence showing that Lamarre-Condon accessed Baird’s Instagram messages without consent during a March 2023 holiday. He admitted to unfollowing several people on Baird's account, acknowledging this act as a breach of privacy. He claimed his curiosity regarding Baird's interactions with other men drove these unauthorized digital intrusions.
5Insecure Relationship Dynamics
Lamarre-Condon conceded that he felt insecure during the relationship and often became preoccupied when Baird was slow to respond to messages. Text messages presented in court revealed him expressing intense feelings, including stating he was in love. He defended these messages as typical expressions of affection shared with his friends.
6Disputed Property Access
The prosecution questioned Lamarre-Condon about using a key left outside Baird’s Paddington home to retrieve belongings after their first break-up. While he admitted to entering the property, he rejected the accusation that he broke in. He claimed he had permission to visit the residence to collect his personal items.
7Manufactured Encounters Alleged
Prosecutors presented messages where Lamarre-Condon told friends he intended to run into Baird, suggesting he used Snapchat maps to monitor his location. Lamarre-Condon described these comments as wishful thinking rather than calculated stalking. He maintained that he hoped for chance encounters while dining out rather than actively tracking Baird's specific movements.
8Legal Defense Strategy
Lamarre-Condon’s testimony focuses on refuting the prosecution's narrative of a premeditated obsession leading to violence. By framing his actions as emotional responses to a difficult break-up, he attempts to counter the state's evidence of stalking. The court must now weigh these explanations against the digital evidence and testimony provided.