Jesse Baird Was ‘Petrified’ Before Fatal Shooting, Court Hears
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — September 23, 2026

A friend of Jesse Baird told a Sydney court that the television presenter was deeply frightened of former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon in the months before he was allegedly killed.

Lamarre-Condon, 31, is on trial in the New South Wales Supreme Court accused of murdering Baird, 26, and his partner Luke Davies, 29, in February 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one count of aggravated break and enter.

Friend Describes Baird’s Fear
Corey-Dean Thorpe, who had previously been in a long-term relationship with Baird and remained a close friend, became emotional while giving evidence.

Thorpe told the court that Baird had become extremely frightened because Lamarre-Condon was a police officer and had access to a firearm.

He said Baird repeatedly told him that the accused “has a gun” and was afraid to report the behaviour to police because Lamarre-Condon was a serving officer.

The court also heard that Baird was concerned a false allegation could damage his career as a television presenter and AFL umpire.

Alleged Stalking Before the Killings
Prosecutors allege Lamarre-Condon’s behaviour became increasingly controlling after Baird ended their relationship.

According to evidence presented to the jury, Baird told friends that Lamarre-Condon had accessed his phone while he was sleeping, deleted conversations and blocked other men he had been communicating with.

Baird also reportedly sought advice from friends about how to end contact with Lamarre-Condon and expressed concern about what might happen after their relationship ended.

Prosecutors allege Lamarre-Condon later disguised himself as an Uber Eats delivery driver before entering Baird’s Paddington home on February 19, 2024.

Defence Claims Self-Defence
Lamarre-Condon’s defence has presented a different account of what happened inside the home.

His lawyer told the court that the former officer went to the property to retrieve belongings and did not expect Baird to be there. The defence says a struggle over the firearm occurred and that the shootings happened during that confrontation.

Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty, and the allegations against him have not been proven.

The trial before Justice Natalie Adams is continuing and is expected to last several months.

Sources: ABC News Australia; The Guardian; Reuters.