A NSW police officer has been convicted of manslaughter following the tragic death of Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old grandmother who died after being tasered by the officer at her nursing home.
Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White, who is 34 years old, used his stun gun on Nowland during what was described as a distressing situation at Yallambee Lodge, located in Cooma, New South Wales. The incident occurred during the early hours of May 17, 2023, as Nowland, who suffered from dementia, was walking the halls of the aged care facility with a steak knife.
According to reports, White discharged the taser after repeatedly urging Nowland to drop the knife. Video footage shown during his trial depicted him saying, “nah, bugger it,” moments before he fired the stun gun at her torso. The action caused Nowland to topple backward, hitting her head on the floor, and she tragically passed away a week later due to complications related to her injuries.
A jury reached its verdict after approximately 20 hours of deliberation, finding White guilty of manslaughter. The trial, held at the New South Wales Supreme Court, lasted for eight days and included testimonies from nursing staff, paramedics, and White's police supervisor. While White did not deny firing the taser, he contended during the proceedings his actions were justified under the circumstances.
During the trial, crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield highlighted how White's use of the taser was not only unnecessary but also hugely excessive, emphasizing the frail condition of Nowland who weighed less than 50 kilograms (110 pounds). Prosecutors argued she presented no immediate threat, and no one was at risk of being stabbed at the time White discharged his weapon.
On the other side of the courtroom, White's defense argued his decisions were aimed at neutralizing what he deemed dangerous circumstances, especially since any individual wielding a knife could pose a potential threat. Despite these arguments, the jury sided with the prosecution.
After the verdict was announced, Karen Webb, the Commissioner of NSW Police, stated it was “a terrible tragedy” and noted she had found the footage of the incident hard to watch. She confirmed White's employment status is under review and highlighted the procedural necessity of this review following the incident.
Webb also mentioned the review of the police force’s taser policy and training, which took place earlier this year, deemed the existing protocols appropriate. She conveyed her intention to speak with Nowland's family about the court's findings, underscoring the importance of their feelings during this difficult time.
The Nowland family issued their statement shortly after the verdict was announced. They expressed gratitude toward the judge and jury for their thorough consideration and conveyed how the conviction confirmed their belief of Clare’s unnecessary death during her final moments. They quoted: "The family will take some time to come to terms with the jury's confirmation of Clare's death at the hands of a serving NSW police officer being a criminal and unjustified act."
Clare Nowland is remembered as not just a grandmother but as a beloved matriarch to her family, which includes eight children, 24 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren. Her passing has sparked debates around the use of tasers by police officers, particularly against vulnerable individuals.
Looking forward, Senior Constable White is expected to face sentencing later, where he may confront the maximum penalty of 25 years behind bars, as his bail status remains active pending his hearing. The gravity of this case has brought to light significant discussions on police conduct, especially during interactions with individuals dealing with mental health issues or old age.
Public reactions have varied, with many expressing outrage over the circumstances surrounding Nowland’s death, raising questions on the necessity and appropriateness of the tasering. The larger conversation around how police are trained to handle potentially dangerous, yet fragile situations such as this will likely continue to evolve following this landmark decision.
Overall, this incident serves as a painful reminder of the delicate balance law enforcement must navigate when dealing with those who may be vulnerable or impaired, as well as the significant consequences of their actions.
