An Australian police officer was found guilty Wednesday of manslaughter in the death of Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old care home resident with dementia.
Kristian White, called to the Cooma care home in May 2023 for reports of erratic behavior, used a Taser on Nowland, who was holding a steak knife. She died in the hospital shortly after the incident.
The Supreme Court of New South Wales delivered the verdict after nearly a week of deliberations. White faces up to 25 years in prison, with sentencing expected soon. The case has sparked national outrage, drawing attention to police use of force.
State Police Commissioner Karen Webb defended existing Taser policies but acknowledged the need for proper application of the equipment.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.