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“Absolutely Inhumane”: Cop Who Fatally Tasered 95YO Woman In Nursing Home Reveals Reason
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“Absolutely Inhumane”: Cop Who Fatally Tasered 95YO Woman In Nursing Home Reveals Reason

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An officer in New South Wales (NSW) is currently facing trial after using his Taser on a great-grandmother.

Senior Constable Kristian White defended himself, stating that he perceived the woman, Clare Nowland, as an “imminent threat” and used the electric implement to paralyze the 95-year-old, who suffered fatal injuries after receiving the discharge to her chest.

Highlights
  • Officer White claims 95-year-old was an 'imminent threat' due to a knife.
  • White faces manslaughter charges, claiming self-defense in court.
  • Clare Nowland had dementia and was under antipsychotic medication.
  • Staff reported Nowland's erratic behavior and past knife attacks.

White is facing charges of manslaughter at the NSW Supreme Court, with his defense team arguing that his response was justified because Nowland was armed with a knife. 

Prosecutors, on the other hand, stated that White had breached his duty, causing the woman’s unlawful death due to negligence.

An Australian police officer is facing trial for fatally tasering a 95-year-old woman. His defense argues that the woman was dangerous and was armed with a knife

Image credits: TaskerLady89977

White’s barrister, Troy Edwards, claimed that his client acted in self-defense because he believed a violent confrontation to have been imminent. The officer seconded this version of events and has remained consistent in his testimony since the day of the incident.

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Image credits: ABC News (Australia)

Detective Sergeant Mitchell Bosworth, who led the investigation, testified that White’s account reflected his belief that using force was inevitable to prevent potential harm to others, including police officers.

Image credits: 9 News Australia

Image credits: 9 News Australia

The trial also included a geriatrician’s testimony on Clare Nowland’s mental health. Dr. Susan Kurrle, who did not personally treat the 95-year-old, reviewed her medical records and confirmed that she had dementia and had been prescribed potent antipsychotic medication to help manage the symptoms.

Records from Nowland’s nursing home also referenced her acting erratically, with “intrusive behaviors” complicating her stay.

Staff from Nowland’s nursing home said they were forced to call security after she attacked them with knives during a dementia episode

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Image credits: ABC News (Australia)

Footage from the nursing home was shown in court to further support White’s defense, showing Nowland slowly moving with a walker while holding two knives. Fellow residents were interviewed, and they reported Nowland entering their rooms uninvited during the night, but said she had not threatened them.

Image credits: ABC News (Australia)

Nursing home staff also stated that Nowland waved the knives in the air after they tried to detain her, eventually throwing one at a staff member who was able to avoid it, causing it to hit the ground. After the incident, staff called emergency services, labeling Nowland a “very aggressive resident.”

Image credits: ABC News (Australia)

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“The circumstances she’s passed away in are unfathomable. I think we’re all still shocked,” said Kylie Paske, Nowland’s granddaughter, who attended the trial with other family members.

“You don’t think you’re going to wake up to your grandmother being Tasered.”

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Investigations are still ongoing, with prosecutors trying to determine whether White’s actions were justified, or were an act of manslaughter that showed reckless disregard for human life.

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Abel Musa Miño

Abel Musa Miño

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Abel is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Santiago, Chile, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a diploma in International Relations. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with his motorbike, playing with his dog, or reading a good novel.

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Abel Musa Miño

Abel Musa Miño

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Abel is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Santiago, Chile, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a diploma in International Relations. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with his motorbike, playing with his dog, or reading a good novel.

Renan Duarte

Renan Duarte

Author, BoredPanda staff

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This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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Renan Duarte

Renan Duarte

Author, BoredPanda staff

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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Jp Goat
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sure a trained cop could have restrained a 95 year old woman with out need of any equipment. Obviously not fit to be a policeman

Cool crow
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or, if the police were scared could they not use a shield? Are they no longer part of police issue?

Load More Replies...
Pete jamail
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good thing this didn’t happen in the US. She would have gotten her a*s kicked first and her family would have to watch the cop whine every night on Fox about how mean everybody is to him.

LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Negligent on the part of the nursing home to allow the woman to have access to knives (unless they were not-deadly plastic knives/butter knives and the article is leaving out this info on purpose.) But even if the knives were a sort that could actually harm others - she still didn’t need to be Tased.

Loch Ness Monster
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a steak knife. A frail, 95 year old woman who needs a walking frame and is showing signs of dementia... and a healthy, male police officer was so threatened that he saw no other solution than to use a taser on her.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
Jp Goat
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sure a trained cop could have restrained a 95 year old woman with out need of any equipment. Obviously not fit to be a policeman

Cool crow
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or, if the police were scared could they not use a shield? Are they no longer part of police issue?

Load More Replies...
Pete jamail
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good thing this didn’t happen in the US. She would have gotten her a*s kicked first and her family would have to watch the cop whine every night on Fox about how mean everybody is to him.

LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Negligent on the part of the nursing home to allow the woman to have access to knives (unless they were not-deadly plastic knives/butter knives and the article is leaving out this info on purpose.) But even if the knives were a sort that could actually harm others - she still didn’t need to be Tased.

Loch Ness Monster
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a steak knife. A frail, 95 year old woman who needs a walking frame and is showing signs of dementia... and a healthy, male police officer was so threatened that he saw no other solution than to use a taser on her.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
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