A police officer who tasered a 95-year-old grandmother, which would later result in her death, has been charged with manslaughter.
Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, has been charged with manslaughter in connection to the taser incident involving 95-year-old great-grandmother Clare Nowland.
The incident occurred at Yallambee Lodge in southern New South Wales, Australia in May, where Nowland - who suffered from dementia - was holding a steak knife when approached by police, per CNN.
The taser deployment by Constable White caused Nowland to collapse, leading to a head injury and a subsequent brain bleed. Seven days later, her death was confirmed at Cooma Hospital, where she was surrounded by her family.
New South Wales police said in a statement, via News.com.au: "It is with great sadness we confirm the passing of 95-year-old Clare Nowland in Cooma tonight. Mrs Nowland passed away peacefully in the hospital just after 07:00 pm this evening, surrounded by family and loved ones who have requested privacy during this sad and difficult time.
"Our thoughts and condolences remain with those who were lucky enough to know, love, and be loved by Mrs Nowland during a life she led hallmarked by family, kindness and community."
Constable White has since been charged with manslaughter, which comes in addition to previous charges laid in May, including recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.
In an official statement, NSW Police explained via the Daily Mail: "Following advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, State Crime Command's Homicide Squad have today laid an additional charge of Manslaughter against a 33-year-old Senior Constable attached to the Monaro Police District."
The development follows the release of body-worn camera footage that revealed the alleged exchange between Constable White and Nowland on the night of the incident. In response to her death, the Nowland family has initiated civil proceedings against the state government, with a statement of claim filed in court.
The family's claim alleges that NSW Police acted unreasonably and attempted to downplay the incident in front of Yallambee Lodge staff. The officers involved, Constable White and Sergeant Rachel Pank, are not listed as defendants in the court documents.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter addressed the incident, stating: "We can’t talk too much specifically about the incident but generally we say [the taser] is there as a piece of equipment to defend yourself when you think your life or someone else’s is in danger."
He added that Nowland, while approaching the police at a slow pace with a walking frame, had a knife.
Yallambee Lodge staff reportedly called an ambulance just after 4:00AM on May 17, with police arriving shortly before 5:00AM. Nowland, frail and holding a knife, was found in the nurse's treatment room. The family's statement alleges that at 5:08AM, the officers discussed disarming Nowland and considered moving her to facilitate this.
The transcript of the footage reveals Senior Constable White saying: "Actually would it be an idea to get her out where we can just grab the knife off her."
Sergeant Pank replied: "I feel like I could do it right now."
Despite multiple warnings to drop the knife, the situation escalated, leading to the deployment of the Taser and Nowland's fall.
Constable White, who is on leave with pay, is scheduled to appear at the Cooma Local Court on December 6.
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