A former police officer, Kristian James Samuel White, is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of the manslaughter of a 95-year-old aged-care resident, Clare Nowland. The tragic incident occurred in Cooma, New South Wales, on May 17, 2023, when White discharged his Taser at Mrs Nowland, who was wielding a knife while using a walking frame and had been resistant to staff efforts to disarm her.
White, 35, reportedly decided to use the Taser and expressed a dismissive attitude—saying, “nah, bugger it”—before shooting her in the chest. The discharge caused her to fall and sustain a head injury, leading to a fatal brain bleed. She succumbed to her injuries a week later in hospital.
Experts such as Helen Gibbon from UNSW noted that it is uncommon for Australian police officers to face prosecution, let alone a conviction, for deaths that occur in the line of duty. Despite the prosecution’s push for a custodial sentence, White’s legal team contends that he acted out of a momentary lapse in judgment and should receive a lighter punishment.
Legal precedents show a systematic reluctance to convict police for on-duty fatalities, attributed to various factors, including the challenging nature of police work and public sentiment towards law enforcement. Chief among these difficulties is the need for prosecuting agencies to pursue cases against officers, often met with hesitation from juries due to the perception of the challenges of police duties. Since his conviction, White has been dismissed from the police force and has initiated legal proceedings to contest that decision.
Justice Ian Harrison is expected to rule on White’s sentence soon, with opinions divided on whether he will serve jail time or receive a community-based sentence. The case stands out as a crucial test of the judicial system’s handling of police accountability in Australia. Past cases, such as Chris Hurley’s acquittal in the death of Cameron Doomadgee in 2007 or that of Zachary Rolfe in the murder trial involving Kumanjayi Walker, highlight the complexities surrounding police-related fatalities and the legal outcomes that often ensue.
As the community awaits Justice Harrison’s decision, the incident has sparked broader discussions on police practices, accountability, and the consequences of using force in delicate situations.