Australian police officer found guilty of manslaughter after tasing 95-year-old woman

An Australian court has found police officer guilty of manslaughter after using a Taser on 95-year-old woman, who later died from the incident. 

Kristian James Samuel White was convicted after a Sydney jury deliberated for 20 hours. White, who is currently on bail, faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced later, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Clare Nowland, a great-grandmother suffering from dementia and using a walker, was holding a steak knife and refusing to drop it when White deployed his Taser at her in May 2023. The shock caused Nowland to fall backward, and she passed away a week later in the hospital. 

While police initially stated that Nowland’s fatal injuries were due to hitting her head on the floor rather than the Taser’s electric shock, White’s actions have now led to his conviction. 

Following the verdict, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed that White's employment is under review, and he is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.

"The court has found that Clare Nowland died as a result of the actions of a police officer. This should never have happened," Webb said, extending her "deepest condolences" to Nowland's family. She also mentioned that the state’s police had reviewed its Taser policy and training in January, but no changes were made.

By Naila Huseynova