Police officer committed for trial over alleged manslaughter of great-grandmother Clare Nowland

Kristian White is the police officer who allegedly tasered a 95-year-old woman. Photo: Gail Eastaway.

The police officer accused of tasering Clare Nowland in her nursing home will fight allegations that he caused the 95-year-old’s death.

Kristian James Samuel White was charged with manslaughter over the incident at Cooma’s Yallambee Lodge on 17 May 2023.

When the case against the 33-year-old senior constable returned to Cooma Local Court on Wednesday (7 February), the court heard he would plead not guilty to this charge.

The other charges that had been laid against him were withdrawn.

Senior Constable White was committed for trial to the NSW Supreme Court and his bail was continued.

The matter will first appear in the higher court in Sydney on 4 April.

Clare Nowland was a 95-year-old great-grandmother from Cooma. Photo: Nowland Family.

Previously released court documents, which were made public before the senior constable was charged with manslaughter, claimed that around three o’clock on the morning of the incident Ms Nowland was seen using her four-wheeled mobility walker to move through the lodge while carrying two kitchen knives.

Staff ended up calling Triple Zero for paramedics at about 4 am. As information was provided suggesting a person at the lodge had a knife, a decision was made for police officers to attend as well.

It is alleged Ms Nowland was holding a knife when Senior Constable White tasered her. She allegedly fell backwards, hitting her head on the wooden floor.

While she was given first aid, she died a week later.

The senior constable has been suspended from duty with pay.