The court case involving the alleged manslaughter of a 95-year-old great-grandmother named Clare Nowland by NSW police officer Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White has garnered attention due to the release of images showing the damaged pyjamas worn by Nowland at the time of the incident. Additionally, knives seized from the room where the Taser incident occurred have been made public. Nowland was Tasered while holding a knife and standing with her walking frame inside Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17, 2023, and she passed away in hospital a week later. White has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Photographs taken during the police investigation show Nowland’s brightly colored pyjama set with holes and apparent scorch marks, providing a visual representation of the incident that has led to White’s trial for manslaughter. Images of the nursing home where Nowland was found armed with knives and in possession of a jug of prunes before being Tasered have also been released. One door in the facility bears Nowland’s name, showcasing the environment where the tragic event unfolded, leading to her eventual death in the hospital.
The court heard that in the early hours of the incident, Nowland, using her walker, obtained two steak knives and prunes from the kitchen before entering the rooms of three residents. Prosecutors claim that she attempted to throw one of the knives at a nurse, but it fell to the ground. Nowland was eventually discovered in a treatment room within the administration building, seated and holding the other knife, prompting the arrival of emergency services. White’s decision to Taser Nowland, captured on police body-worn cameras, has been a focal point of the trial, with the officer allegedly uttering “bugger it” before deploying the Taser.
Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield, SC, emphasized in court that Nowland did not comply with requests to drop the knife, leading to White’s decision to use the Taser. The moment White discharged the Taser and Nowland subsequently falling and hitting her head have been scrutinized as key elements in the case. The prosecution’s case against White revolves around the assertion that his actions were unlawful and ultimately resulted in Nowland’s death. The release of images depicting the damaged pyjamas, knives, and the nursing home where the incident occurred contributes to the visual evidence presented during the trial.
As the trial progresses, the court will continue to weigh the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense to determine White’s culpability in Nowland’s death. The images of Nowland’s belongings, the scene of the incident, and the actions leading up to the fateful Taser deployment serve as crucial components in the case. The public release of these images provides insight into the circumstances surrounding Nowland’s death and sheds light on the events that unfolded on that tragic day in the nursing home. The legal process will ultimately seek to uncover the truth behind the incident and deliver justice for Nowland and her family.
