A former police officer has been saved a prison sentence for his mortal decision to Taser a 95 -year -old woman with symptoms of dementia in an Australian care house.
Kristian White said he had used the weapon to avoid a « violent confrontation » after finding clear Nowland and sustaining a small kitchen knife in May 2023.
But the officer was declared guilty of slaughter With a jury last November, after prosecutors argued their actions to the great -grandmother, who later died from their injuries, were « seriously disproportionate ».
The case caused a public cry, with the judge at one point saying that it was « unlike any other that I had to confront » for almost two decades on the bench.
Judge Ian Harrison issued his sentence to the Supreme Court of New South Wales (NSW), Judge Ian Harrison said that White’s actions in Yallabee Lodge in the city of Cooma, near Canberra, were a « terrible mistake. »
The « obvious » reality was that Mrs. Nowland was a « 95 -year -old fragile and confusing woman » who « did not raise anything that could be reasonably described as a threat of any substance. »
« The simple but tragic event would seem to me that Mr White completely, and in an inexplicably available vision, he damaged and misunderstood the dynamics of the situation, » Harrison said.
The trial heard that White was called to the house of attention at 04:00 on May 17, 2023, after Mrs. Nowland was piled up by the locals with two Serrats knives.
The camera’s body pictures showed that Mrs. Nowland warned that she dropped her leaves while pointing her weapon to her, before saying -« Bugger » and shooting. He fell and struck his head, triggering a fatal braine.
The defense emphasized the tests of one of the paramedics and the White police partner, who said that Mrs. Nowland had made them afraid of their security.
But the prosecutors had defended Ms. Nowland, who weighed less than 48kg (105 pounds) and used a walker to move, did not take a threat and the officer was « impatient », using his weapon only three minutes after coping with it.
Mrs. Nowland’s family, in a sentence of sentence last month, said that the « Insifiable » and « Inhumanes » actions of White had forever changed their lives.
« To date, I am traumatized by this cowardly act without traffic, » Michael Nowland, Clare’s eldest son, told court.
He described his mother as « the most supportive person in the world » and said that the family wanted justice.
White said to the court before that he did not think that Mrs. Nowland would be « significant » and that she was « devastated » by her death.
In a letter of apology to his relatives, White wrote: « I deeply regret my actions and the severe consequences that they have caused, not only to Mrs. Nowland, but also to your family and the eldest community. »
White had served as a police officer with NSW police for 12 years before being retired after his sentence.
Judge Harrison said that a prison was not required, as White had already lost his job and became an unwanted member of the local community and did not risk again. He added that it would also be difficult for a former officer to live in prison.
He condemned White to a two -year community correction order, essentially a good bond of behavior, and 425 hours of community service.
Mrs. Nowland’s death caused global outrage and scrutinized on the use of NSW police force.
Commissioner Karen Webb described death as a « terrible tragedy » that should not have happened, but emphasized that strength training and taser policies are adequate.
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