Beau Lamarre-Condon, the former police officer accused of murdering TV presenter Jesse Baird and his partner Luke Davies, told the court he was in a state of distress after the alleged killings. During his third day of testimony, Lamarre-Condon described his financial activities, including a swimwear line, Bitcoin investments, and selling Hermès Birkin bags, which he said contributed to his approximately $120,000 annual police salary earned through extra shifts.
Lamarre-Condon explained his decision to go to Baird's house on the day of the alleged murders, stating he wanted to collect his possessions, including a designer ring, and avoid an apprehended violence order that could jeopardize his job. He also stated he brought his police firearm inside the house because leaving it unattended in a vehicle was illegal.
When questioned about wearing an Uber Eats outfit into Baird's home, Lamarre-Condon claimed he found it in an open bag on the street and intended to return it, not steal it, to avoid an apprehended violence order. Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC pressed him on whether he was concerned about theft charges.
Lamarre-Condon asserted he was "freaking out" after the alleged murders but maintained that his training as a police officer allowed him to remain outwardly calm. He told the court his voice trembled when he stated he originally planned to hand himself in to police with the bodies in his van. When asked if he was serious, he responded, "Yes that is a very serious answer, I don't find this funny, I don't see this as a joke."
Under cross-examination, Lamarre-Condon was asked about his seemingly relaxed demeanor hours after the alleged murders, including a visit to a store with a friend and eating at a restaurant. He countered that his calm appearance did not reflect his internal state, stating, "It doesn't mean I wasn't sitting in the shower crying before that." He added, "This is someone I cared about... Jesse was someone who I cared about and just because you don't see it on camera doesn't mean I don't care."
Regarding footage showing him appearing to laugh at Sushi Train, Lamarre-Condon accused the Crown of not presenting the full video. He claimed that the complete footage showed him with his hands on his temples in distress, stating, "I'm putting my hands to my temples, I'm talking to [my friend], he's looking down at the table, we are not laughing. I'm freaking out."