Officer to face trial after tasered elderly woman dies

Clare Nowland. Supplied photo
Clare Nowland. Supplied photo
A police officer accused of fatally tasering a 95-year-old woman will face trial in the New South Wales Supreme Court.

Kristian White, 33, appeared before Cooma Local Court on Wednesday, with his solicitor indicating the senior constable would plead not guilty to manslaughter.

The court was told all other charges were withdrawn, and the case was committed to the supreme court where White will be arraigned on April 5.

He remains on bail and was supported by his partner at court.

White is alleged to have used a stun gun on resident Clare Nowland at an aged care home in the southern NSW town of Cooma in the early hours of May 17, 2023.

Mrs Nowland, who weighed 43 kilograms and lived with dementia, was confronted while using a walking frame and holding a steak knife.

She was repeatedly asked by staff, paramedics and police to drop the knife, a NSW Police statement of facts said.

She was tasered and fell, hitting her head on the ground.

Ms Nowland was taken to Cooma Hospital, where she died on May 24.