September 11th 2024.
In a tragic incident, a police officer has been accused of causing the death of a 95-year-old woman with dementia. It is alleged that Senior Constable Kristian White used a taser on Clare Nowland at her aged-care home in Cooma, New South Wales in May 2023. As the case moves to trial, White has pleaded not guilty to the charge of manslaughter during his arraignment at the NSW Supreme Court in April.
The defense team, represented by barrister Troy Edwards SC, has requested for White to be tried without a jury. This request was made during a recent court hearing and Justice Ian Harrison has set a date of October 14 to finalize the decision. If the request is granted, the trial will be heard by a single judge.
According to a police statement of facts presented in court, the incident occurred when White responded to a call at Nowland's residence. She was holding a steak knife and a walking frame, and was asked multiple times by staff, paramedics, and police to drop the knife. White then used a taser on the elderly woman, causing her to fall and hit her head on the floor. Nowland was rushed to the hospital, where she passed away a week later.
Initially, White was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault. However, these charges were later dropped in favor of the more serious charge of manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. This decision was made after the Director of Public Prosecutions provided advice to the investigators.
As the trial is set to begin in November, both the prosecution and the defense have indicated that they will call upon police experts as witnesses. The trial is expected to last for four weeks and it is hoped that justice will be served for the late Clare Nowland and her family.
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