Sr Const Kristian White, the New South Wales police officer accused of tasering 95-year-old Clare Nowland, leading to her tragic death, has now been charged with manslaughter.
This decision came after advice from the New South Wales’s director of public prosecutions.
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The incident, which occurred at the Cooma aged care facility, initially resulted in charges of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault against Sr Const Kristian White.
However, the prosecution argued that the officer’s actions were “grossly disproportionate” and “excessive,” considering the age and limited abilities of the elderly victim, according to court documents.
Clare Nowland, a great-grandmother, tragically passed away in May after being allegedly tasered by Officer White when she was found at her home in Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma while carrying a knife.
Prosecutors claim that the use of the taser was unnecessary, especially after two other police officers had attempted.
Court documents reveal that just before deploying the Taser, Officer White was heard saying, “stop just … na bugger it.” This alleged statement is now a focal point in the case against him.
In July, the Nowland family, through their lawyer, released a statement expressing their shock and dismay at the allegations against Officer White.
The family described the facts as “extremely confronting and shocking”.
Sr Const Kristian White remains suspended from duty with pay pending the legal proceedings.
He is due to appear at the Cooma local court next month to face the upgraded charges.
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