Former Officer Tells Jury Friend Directed Him to Hide Bodies

Beau Lamarre-Condon, a 31-year-old former police officer, told a jury on Tuesday that he intended to report two fatal shootings to authorities immediately but was talked out of doing it by a friend. Lamarre-Condon is currently standing trial for the murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, a couple he allegedly shot with his service weapon at their home in Paddington on February 19, 2024.

The defendant, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one charge of aggravated break and enter, provided a written statement that directly challenges the account given by his companion, identified in court as Elizabeth Kennedy. Kennedy testified the previous week that she believed she and Lamarre-Condon were heading to lunch when he picked her up two days after the shootings.

In his statement, read into evidence by prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC, Lamarre-Condon alleged that Kennedy "flat-out lied to police in her statement regarding her involvement." He claimed that after he showed her the bodies in the back of a van, he began to cry and suggested driving straight to the police. Kennedy allegedly rejected this plan, telling him, "No, no, you can’t. They won’t believe you."

Lamarre-Condon stated that Kennedy referenced the Taylor Swift song "No Body, No Crime" and insisted they must get rid of the bodies "straight away." He alleged that Kennedy assisted in carrying the bodies and poured concrete into the bags to help them sink at a farm in Bungonia. According to the defendant, when the bags failed to sink, Kennedy used his pocketknife to cut holes in the surfboard covers, which he said caused the knife wounds found on Davies' leg.

The testimony from the two parties presents sharply conflicting narratives. Kennedy denied helping Lamarre-Condon during the disposal process, stating in court that she did not know what was happening. She noted her physical frame, saying, "I’m five foot and weigh 55 kilos so I don’t think I could carry a body even if I tried." She also disputed Lamarre-Condon's claim that she played the Swift song, asserting that he was the one who put it on in the car.

Lamarre-Condon explained to the court that he initially withheld details about Kennedy's participation because she had begged him not to tell police. He stated that he eventually decided to speak up because he wanted to do the "right thing" for the families of the victims. He noted that he could not lie under oath if the case proceeded to trial.

The trial also heard evidence regarding Lamarre-Condon's surrender. He handed himself into police at 10:37 a.m. on February 23, 2024. A recording played for the jury showed him calling a police assistance line earlier that morning to report a psychological injury. On the call, Lamarre-Condon told the operator he was suffering from anxiety and symptoms of schizophrenia. He stated that he had been exposed to trauma and bullying since joining the force, adding that the detectives were already aware he was being driven to the central police station.

The case is currently before Justice Natalie Adams. Lamarre-Condon's legal team argues that the shootings were accidental and that the officer acted in self-defense.