Australia police officer who Tasered 95-year-old woman Clare Nowland in care home found guilty of manslaughter
Sydney, Australia— A police officer who shocked a 95-year-old nursing home resident with a Taser was found guilty of manslaughter in an Australian court on Wednesday. After 20 hours of deliberation, a jury found Christian James Samuel White guilty at a trial in Sydney. White is currently out on bail and could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison if sentenced.
Clare Nowland, a great-grandmother who suffers from dementia and uses a walker, refused to put down the steak knife she was holding when police checked on her. fire a taser at her In May 2023, Nolan fell backwards after White was shocked, Died in hospital a week later.
Police said at the time that Nolan’s fatal injuries were caused by hitting his head on the floor and not directly from an electrical shock from the device.
Reuters
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters after the verdict that White’s employment relationship was being reviewed and he was undergoing legal proceedings.
“The court finds that Claire Nolan died as a result of the actions of police officers. This should never have happened,” Webb said, offering her “deepest condolences” to Nolan’s family. She added that state police reviewed Taser policy and training in January but made no changes.
In video played during the NSW Supreme Court trial, White can be heard saying “no, what the hell” before firing, after police told Nolan 21 times to drop the knife. White, 34, told the jury he was told anyone with a knife was dangerous, The Guardian reported.
But after an eight-day trial, the jury rejected arguments from White’s attorneys that White’s use of the Taser was an appropriate response to the threat posed by Nolan, who weighed about 100 pounds.
White and other officers were called to the nursing home by staff who told them a woman “had a knife.”
Police said they urged Nolan to put down the serrated steak knife before she began “slowly” walking towards them on a walker, causing White to fire a Taser at her.
Prosecutors argued White’s use of the Taser was “completely unnecessary and clearly excessive,” local news outlets said.
The unusual case has sparked debate over how state officials use Tasers, devices that disable people’s ability to use electricity.
Nolan, a resident of Yalambi Lodge, a nursing home in the town of Cooma, is survived by eight children, 24 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Lawyer for Nolan’s family A separate civil lawsuit was filed last year Proceedings were brought against the NSW Government, seeking damages on behalf of her estate over alleged assault and battery. this Lawsuit settled Privately held in March this year.
Reuters
Speaking on Australian television shortly after the incident, Cooma businessman and community advocate Andrew Thaler said Nolan “is about 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 43 kilograms (about 95 pounds) and without help , she was unable to walk on her own” with walking assistance. “
“Use the Taser when she just needs a kind word, if she’s confused – which is what happens with people with dementia – she needs a kind word, help and assistance,” Thaler said. “She doesn’t need it. The power of law.”
