Officer Kristian White has been found guilty of manslaughter in the case of Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old woman with dementia who died after being Tasered. The incident has sparked a wider debate over police training and the treatment of the elderly.
Police Officer Found Guilty in Tragic Taser Incident Involving 95-Year-Old Woman
Police Officer Found Guilty in Tragic Taser Incident Involving 95-Year-Old Woman
Kristian White's conviction highlights serious concerns around police conduct and use of force in vulnerable situations.
In a case that has sent shockwaves through Australia, police officer Kristian White, aged 34, has been found guilty of manslaughter after he Tasered Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old woman suffering from symptoms of dementia, in a care facility. This tragic incident occurred in the early hours of May 17, 2023, when Clare, who weighed less than 48kg (105lb) and relied on a walker, was discovered wandering with a small kitchen knife.
Amid mounting public outrage over Clare's death a week after the incident, White maintained that his actions were reasonable given the situation. Prosecutors argued that Clare posed no true threat and characterized White's approach as "impatient," suggesting a failure to uphold his duty of care.
On the night of the incident at Yallambee Lodge in Cooma, approximately 114km (71 miles) south of Canberra, emergency responders found Clare carrying two serrated steak knives. Testimony during the trial indicated that while Clare had shown signs of cognitive decline, she had not been diagnosed with dementia. Despite a few concerning behaviors noted by staff, one resident expressed feeling safe even when confronted by Clare with knives.
Video evidence presented during the trial depicted Clare slowly advancing with her walker, showing no immediate intent to harm as she raised the knife just before White fired his Taser at her from a distance of 1.5 to 2 meters. Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield highlighted that there was no identifiable danger posed at that moment, criticizing White for acting out of frustration rather than caution.
White, who allegedly believed a violent altercation was about to unfold, expressed devastation upon hearing of Clare's death and claimed he didn’t expect serious injury from the Taser. The jury, however, was unconvinced by White's defense, which included testimony from colleagues who claimed to feel threatened, despite admitting they could have avoided Clare if necessary.
The family of Clare Nowland expressed gratitude to the legal team for pursuing justice, emphasizing the need for reflection on the circumstances leading to this unfortunate event. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb stated that while White's employment status remains under review, the Taser policies currently in place were deemed appropriate, though she acknowledged the tragedy of Clare's death should never have occurred.
As the community grapples with the implications of this incident, White is set to receive sentencing in the near future, raising questions about the protocols surrounding police interactions with vulnerable populations.
