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A police officer who fatally shocked a 95-year-old woman with symptoms of dementia could face a lengthy prison term after a jury found him guilty of her wrongful death.
Senior Constable Christian James Samuel White fired his stun gun at Claire Nowland in a treatment room at Yallambee Lodge nursing home in the southern New Wales town of Cooma in the early hours of May 17, 2023.
In video footage played during the trial in the NSW Supreme Court, the 34-year-old police officer was heard saying “no, fuck it” before shooting the great-grandmother in the torso.
Knowland, who was holding a steak knife at the time, fell backwards and hit her head before dying a week later in hospital.
After hearing evidence and testimony during the eight-day trial, the 12-member jury returned today with a guilty verdict of manslaughter.
They deliberated for 20 hours.
Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC successfully argued that White was criminally negligent or committed an unlawful and dangerous act by firing the Taser in a move that was “wholly unnecessary”.
In sentencing, the jury rejected arguments by defense counsel Troy Edwards SC that the 34-year-old officer’s use of the Taser was a proportionate response to the threat Knowland posed.
Today, Hatfield filed a motion to have White detained.
Edwards opposed the move, saying a full-time sentence for his client was not imminent.
The maximum sentence for manslaughter is 25 years in prison.
Judge Ian Harrison will consider the custody application tomorrow.
“To make no secret, I will not leave a police officer in custody until I know under what conditions he will be held, if he is to be held,” the judge said.
White said nothing to reporters as he walked out of court holding hands with his fiancee.
In a statement issued through their attorney, Knowland’s family thanked the jury, Judge Harrison and the prosecution team.
“It will take some time for the family to come to terms with the jury’s confirmation that Claire’s death at the hands of an active NSW police officer was a criminal and unjustifiable act,” they said.
In March, a civil action brought by Knowland’s family against the state of NSW was settled under confidential terms.
NSW Police have been contacted for comment.
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