The police officer who tasered a 95-year-old woman in her nursing home before she died has been charged with manslaughter.
Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, had already been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault after the encounter at Yallambee Lodge in Australia.
Police have since confirmed the upgraded charges for White this morning (29 November).
Clare Nowland tragically died in hospital earlier this year (17 May) after being allegedly tasered by White while she was carrying a steak knife.
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Nowland, who used a walking aid and suffered from dementia, subsequently collapsed and hit her head, fracturing her skull.
She later passed away at Cooma Hospital with her family in attendance.
According to court documents, prosecutors claimed that White's actions were 'grossly disproportionate' and 'excessive' given her age and ability.
Two months after Nowland's death, her family released a statement through their lawyer, which read: "The facts alleged against Mr White are extremely confronting and shocking."
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White currently remains suspended from duty with pay and is set to appear before the Cooma Local Court next month (6 December).
In a statement published online today, New South Wales Police said: "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.
"This legal process was served on the officer’s legal representative this morning (Wednesday 29 November 2023).
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"This upgraded charge follows the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland in May 2023 after she was tasered in a Cooma nursing home."
New South Wales Police had previously released a statement confirming Nowland's death at the time, which said: "It is with great sadness we confirm the passing of 95-year-old Clare Nowland in Cooma tonight (Wednesday 24 May 2023).
"Mrs Nowland passed away peacefully in hospital just after 7pm 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."
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If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Rhiannon Ingle