Friend Tells Sydney Murder Trial Jesse Baird Was 'Petrified' of Accused Officer

A friend of Jesse Baird broke down while giving evidence at the Sydney murder trial of Beau Lamarre-Condon, telling the court that Baird was “petrified” of the accused because he was an armed police officer who Baird feared could make a false allegation that would ruin his career, according to a report from The Guardian.

The witness said Baird repeatedly told them that Lamarre-Condon “has a gun,” describing a climate of fear that the friend said explained why Baird had not gone to police about his concerns.

Details of the case

Lamarre-Condon has been accused of fatally shooting Sydney couple Jesse Baird, 26, and Luke Davies, 29, using a police service weapon at Baird's home in the Sydney suburb of Paddington on 19 February 2024. The trial has continued to draw significant public attention in Australia given the accused's status as a serving police officer at the time of the alleged killings.

The friend's testimony, delivered emotionally in the witness box, adds to the evidence being presented about the relationship between Baird and Lamarre-Condon in the period leading up to the killings. The court has heard that Baird's fear of the accused was tied specifically to his position as a police officer, which the friend said gave the accused credibility that could be used against Baird if he made a complaint.

The case remains ongoing, with further witness testimony expected as the prosecution continues to build its case against Lamarre-Condon. Details of his defense have not been extensively reported in connection with this stage of proceedings.

The killings drew widespread attention in Australia at the time, both for the circumstances of the case and for the fact that the accused was a member of the police force alleged to have used his service weapon in the crime.