Kristian White, a 34-year-old police officer, was convicted of manslaughter after Taser use resulted in the death of Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old great-grandmother with dementia symptoms. The incident, which sparked public outrage, involved accusations of undue force from an officer claimed to have acted out of impatience rather than necessity.
Taser Incident: Officer Convicted of Manslaughter in Death of 95-Year-Old Woman
Taser Incident: Officer Convicted of Manslaughter in Death of 95-Year-Old Woman
A police officer faces sentencing after being found guilty in the tragic case of a 95-year-old woman who died following a Taser deployment.
A New South Wales police officer has been found guilty of manslaughter in a controversial case that has drawn public attention and debate surrounding the use of Tasers by law enforcement. Kristian White, 34, was charged after deploying his Taser on Clare Nowland, who was 95 years old and displayed symptoms of cognitive decline, during an incident at Yallambee Lodge care home on May 17, 2023.
Clare Nowland, who struggled with mobility and used a walker, was discovered wandering the facility with a small kitchen knife. A week following the Taser incident, she succumbed to injuries that included a fatal brain bleed, prompting nationwide outcry. During the trial, White argued that his actions were justified given the perceived threat. However, prosecutors rebutted that Nowland posed no significant risk, describing the officer's actions as impatient and negligent regarding his duty of care.
The incident unfolded early in the morning when emergency personnel were dispatched after reports of Nowland holding two serrated steak knives. Testimonies from witnesses indicated that while she may have shown aggressive behavior, there were no immediate signs that anyone was in danger at that moment. In the courtroom, it was revealed that she had been slowly shuffling towards the officer when White fired the Taser from a distance of about 1.5 to 2 meters.
Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield emphasized the unnecessary nature of the force used, arguing that the officer's quick decision to use a Taser lacked the requisite caution expected of law enforcement. Evidence revealed that White had acted merely three minutes after encountering Nowland, suggesting a lack of patience as she moved slowly and cautiously, with no apparent intent to hurt anyone.
White's defense referred to statements from his police partner and paramedic, indicating that they felt threatened; however, they also acknowledged that they could have prioritized their safety due to Nowland's limited mobility. Following the jury's verdict, Mrs. Nowland's family expressed their gratitude towards the prosecution and the judicial system but requested privacy as they process the outcome.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced a review of Taser policies and expressed condolences over the tragic circumstances of Clare Nowland's death, emphasizing that such an incident should never have occurred. White, currently on bail, awaits his sentencing, and the case has sparked broad discussions about police tactics and the treatment of vulnerable individuals in crisis.
