Taser Incident Leads to Manslaughter Charge Against Officer in Australia**

The New South Wales Supreme Court conviction of Officer Kristian White for the manslaughter of Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old woman with dementia symptoms, sparks a debate on police responses to vulnerable individuals.**

A senior constable in Australia was found guilty of manslaughter after he used a Taser on a 95-year-old woman suffering from cognitive decline, causing her death a week later. Kristian White, 34, was involved in the incident on May 17, 2023, at Yallambee Lodge, a care home approximately 114 kilometers south of Canberra. Clare Nowland was found wandering with two kitchen knives.

During the trial, evidence was presented that Mrs. Nowland had shown signs of dementia and had previously acted aggressively towards caregivers. Despite this history, prosecutors argued she posed no imminent threat at the time she was Tasered. According to Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield, White acted out of frustration after just three minutes of observing the situation. He pointed out that there was no indication Mrs. Nowland would harm anyone and criticized White’s conduct as neglectful of his duty of care.

Emergency services had attempted to defuse the situation before White decided to deploy his weapon. The footage shown in court depicted the elderly woman slowly moving with her walker before raising the knife while still at a safe distance from the officers. White defended his actions, stating he believed an imminent threat required immediate action and expressing remorse over the fatal consequences of the encounter.

Witness testimonies included statements from a paramedic and White’s police partner, who reported feeling threatened; however, they acknowledged that they could have easily moved to safety given Mrs. Nowland's limited mobility. The jury’s verdict has prompted reactions from Mrs. Nowland's family, who expressed their gratitude for the legal outcome and described the event as a tragic mistake committed by a police officer.

In light of the incident, New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed that a review of Taser policies and training protocols would be conducted, although she stated that current guidelines are deemed appropriate. White, who has been stood down from active duty throughout the legal process, remains on bail as he awaits sentencing. The case emphasizes pressing discussions around the appropriate use of force by police, particularly in interactions with vulnerable populations.