The cop who took the life of a great-grandmother is given a brief break from jail.

In a tragic turn of events, a police officer has been found guilty of manslaughter after using his Taser on a 95-year-old woman, resulting in her untimely death. The officer, Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White, had discharged his stun gun at Clare Nowland in the treatment room of an aged-care home in Cooma, New South Wales.

During the trial at the NSW Supreme Court, video footage revealed that the 34-year-old officer had exclaimed, "nah, bugger it" before shooting the great-grandmother in the torso. The incident occurred on May 17, 2023, in the early hours of the morning. Police and paramedics were called to the nursing home after Nowland had grabbed two steak knives and threatened residents and staff.

Despite negotiations to get Nowland to put down the remaining knife, White made the decision to pull the trigger after only three minutes. Unfortunately, Nowland fell and hit her head on the floor, ultimately passing away a week later at the Cooma hospital. As a result, the jury unanimously found White guilty of manslaughter on Wednesday, and the crown prosecutors pushed for him to be placed behind bars.

However, Justice Ian Harrison has ruled that White will remain out on bail until his sentencing. This decision was made after considering the evidence presented in court and the fact that White is a serving police officer. His defense barrister, Troy Edwards SC, argued that a prison sentence was not inevitable, and White's safety would be at risk if he were to be imprisoned.

In fact, evidence filed with the court showed that White would be placed in protective custody if incarcerated, as he would be classified as "protection non-association," meaning he would not come into contact with other inmates. This was confirmed by Detective Sergeant Mitchell Bosworth of the Homicide Squad. In the meantime, White's employment has been suspended without pay, and the necessary legal procedures are being carried out to remove him from the force.

The officer's sentencing hearing is expected to take place in February, where the court will determine the appropriate punishment for his actions. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the responsibility and accountability that comes with being a police officer and the devastating consequences that can result from the misuse of force. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Clare Nowland during this difficult time.

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