Beau Lamarre-Condon has told the court the first shot he fired at Jesse Baird during an alleged struggle was deliberate, saying he believed it was the right decision as he tried to disarm him.
Giving evidence under cross-examination, Lamarre-Condon said he had been forced against a kitchen wall while Baird held a knife. “I was pinned up against the kitchen wall,” he said.
He described Baird’s left forearm pressing against his chest before Baird moved and swung the knife with his right hand. Lamarre-Condon said both men’s hands were at times on Baird’s right hand as he tried to keep the weapon away.
“At certain points Jesse’s left forearm was against my chest and then he would move it and then he would swing the knife with his right hand,” he told the court.
Lamarre-Condon said he reached for his firearm after Baird slashed his shirt. He said he kept hold of Baird’s right arm with his left hand while drawing the weapon.
“I just remember pointing and aiming towards his right shoulder,” he said. Lamarre-Condon told the court the pair were close, and that he pushed Baird back slightly to create space for the shot.
He estimated the distance between them was between 20 centimetres and one metre, while maintaining his grip on Baird’s right hand.
“The first shot I fired at Baird was deliberate and was the right move; I stand by it,” Lamarre-Condon said.
