Accused cop boasted of tampering with victim’s phone, court hears
Accused killer police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon proudly boasted to a colleague of tampering with a partner’s phone and expressed anger when the relationship broke down, a jury has heard.
Today marks the fourth day of the senior constable’s blockbuster murder trial centred on the February 2024 deaths of Jesse Baird and his new partner Luke Davies.
An artist’s sketch of Beau Lamarre-Condon in the NSW Supreme Court. Rocco Fazzari
Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to murder, saying his gun went off three times in two separate violent struggles, killing both men in self-defence.
The officer and Baird dated during the summer of 2022-23, with the latter man viewing it more casually than his accused killer.
A flurry of witnesses have already been called, including many friends and colleagues of Baird who told the jury about conversations they had with the 26-year-old about his fear of Lamarre-Condon’s controlling behaviour.
But the trial has also heard from colleagues Lamarre-Condon interacted with, in the months before he entered Baird’s Paddington townhouse armed and heavily disguised to allegedly murder the TV presenter.
Police Citizens Youth Club worker Rubina Shrestha told the jury yesterday how, despite having no personal relationship outside work with Lamarre-Condon, he divulged his actions and emotions throughout the breakdown of his relationship with Baird.
The youth engagement officer allegedly told Shrestha he had gone through Baird’s phone to block a love rival.
“He was very happy and proud of it,” she told the jury.
“I said: ‘That’s crazy’.“
The alleged phone tampering occurred when the men briefly reconnected in spring 2023.
Lamarre-Condon posted an Instagram story in November 2023 with an internet picture of a bunch of flowers and a message.
The Crown alleges the officer falsely implied Baird, who could not see the post, had sent them.
“He was sending out the message (he and Baird) are together and Jesse’s not available,” Shrestha testified.
When Baird found out about the alleged Instagram ruse and broke off all contact with his alleged murderer, Lamarre-Condon’s demeanour changed dramatically, the PCYC worker said.
Tributes left to Jesse Baird and Luke Davies outside Baird’s home. nna\ebennett
“He did say he would do anything to get him back … he was really mad about it,” Shrestha said.
Many of Baird’s friends and colleagues who have given evidence in the trial have been emotional recalling their last memories of him and the burgeoning relationship between him and Davies.
The trial is expected to last several months, with more than 100 witnesses expected to be called.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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