Kristian White, previously convicted of manslaughter, was spared imprisonment following the tragic death of Clare Nowland, who died from injuries sustained during the incident in May 2023, as the court addressed the complexities surrounding law enforcement's use of force.
Officer Avoids Jail Time in Tasering Death of 95-Year-Old Woman
Officer Avoids Jail Time in Tasering Death of 95-Year-Old Woman
A former Australian police officer has been sentenced to a community corrections order after fatally Tasering a 95-year-old woman suffering from dementia, drawing national outrage.
Former police officer Kristian White has received a two-year community corrections order in place of jail time after fatally Tasering 95-year-old Clare Nowland while responding to a call at an aged care facility. The incident occurred in May 2023 when White encountered Nowland, who was disoriented and holding a small kitchen knife. The jury found that White's response was "grossly disproportionate," leading to public outcry and a trial highlighted as unprecedented by Justice Ian Harrison.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that White had misread the situation, with prosecutors arguing that Nowland posed no real threat due to her frail condition. Body cam footage of the incident sparked further outrage, showing White warning Nowland before firing the Taser, causing her fatal injuries. Nowland's family criticized White's actions, describing them as "inhumane," while the police commission expressed that the tragedy highlighted flaws in Taser use policies. White had served 12 years in the police force before losing his job after his conviction. The judge stated the absence of a prison sentence was due to White's loss of career and status in the community, alongside an assessment of his low reoffense risk.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that White had misread the situation, with prosecutors arguing that Nowland posed no real threat due to her frail condition. Body cam footage of the incident sparked further outrage, showing White warning Nowland before firing the Taser, causing her fatal injuries. Nowland's family criticized White's actions, describing them as "inhumane," while the police commission expressed that the tragedy highlighted flaws in Taser use policies. White had served 12 years in the police force before losing his job after his conviction. The judge stated the absence of a prison sentence was due to White's loss of career and status in the community, alongside an assessment of his low reoffense risk.
