Latest news with #taser
ABC News
27-06-2025
- ABC News
Appeal against 'inadequate' sentence for police officer who tasered 95yo Clare Nowland
A prosecutor has told a hearing in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal a former police officer gave a 95-year-old grandmother "no way" to avoid being tasered. Kristian White, now 35, was found guilty of manslaughter by a Supreme Court jury last November, and in March was sentenced to a two-year community correction order and 425 hours of community service. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions filed an appeal against the sentence on four grounds, including that it was "manifestly inadequate". The trial heard White, then a senior constable, had discharged his taser at Clare Nowland inside the Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma on May 17, 2023. Mrs Nowland, who was using a four-wheeled walker, fell, hit her head and died in Cooma Hospital a week later. Director of the Office of Public Prosecutions Sally Dowling SC today argued the sentencing judge erred in ruling White's actions fell at the lower end of objective seriousness. "This was an extremely unlawful, dangerous act," she said. Ms Dowling argued the sentence imposed did not properly take into account the victim impact statements made by members of Mrs Nowland's family, or the "broader aspect of harm" on the community. "That sense of amazement that this could happen in the community, Your Honour, is something I wish to draw [to] your attention," she said. Ms Dowling told the court police officers were entrusted with dangerous weapons. "They occupy a trusted role in our community and they must take the utmost care to use those weapons carefully," she said."This case required a sentence that sends a clear message that an unjustified resort to force or violence when other options are available will result in serious criminal punishment." During the trial, the jury heard White and another police officer responded to a triple-0 call made by Yallambee Lodge staff as the great-grandmother, armed initially with two knives, roamed the facility with her walker, entering other residents' rooms. She was later found by paramedics and police officers, including White, in a nurses' room at the facility holding one knife. After an exchange of about three minutes, during which officers tried to convince Mrs Nowland to drop the knife, White said "bugger it" and discharged his taser. Ms Dowling today told the court that was "clear evidence of his impatience of her". She said CCTV footage and police body-worn camera vision showed the great-grandmother was "frail" and "plainly incapable of moving very quickly". The hearing is being presided over by Chief Justice Andrew Bell, Justice Anthony Payne and Justice Natalie Adams.
News.com.au
26-06-2025
- News.com.au
Appeal begins against NSW Police officer Kristian White's taser manslaughter sentence
A policeman who fatally tasered a 95-year-old at a NSW nursing home will on Friday learn the next steps in a prosecution's appeal against his sentence, which saw him avoid spending a day behind bars. Senior Constable Kristian White, 34, was called to Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma in the state's south on May 17, 2023 to assist with Clare Nowland, 95, who a nurse had described as being a 'very aggressive' resident holding two knives. The great-grandmother was holding a single knife and a penlight when White found her sitting in an office after 5am. Mrs Nowland was tasered after White repeatedly told her to drop the blade during a two-minute confrontation and died in hospital days later. White was found guilty in November of Mrs Nowland's manslaughter – a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment in NSW – following a NSW Supreme Court trial. In a decision that caused an outcry in March, the officer avoided jail time – and instead was handed a two-year community corrections order, and 425 hours of community service. Following the decision, the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the sentence which they argued was 'manifestly inadequate'. On Friday, a hearing in Sydney's Supreme Court is expected to hear further details of the appeal. The grounds of appeal stated the sentencing judge 'erred in mistaking the facts by proceeding on the basis that it was agreed between the parties that the Offender held an honest belief that his conduct was necessary'. Claims the sentencing judge also erred in his assessment of objective seriousness and in 'determining that general deterrence had 'little or no role' or 'only a minor role' to play in the sentence' were also listed. Of his decision, Justice Ian Harrison said the incident fell in the lower end of objective seriousness for manslaughter and sending White to prison would be a 'disproportionate' sentence. Mrs Nowland's family previously said they were 'disappointed' with the decision not to detain White after he was found guilty of the manslaughter of their matriarch. Mrs Nowland's eldest son Michael made an emotional statement to reporters following the sentencing. 'It's a slap on the wrist for someone that's killed our mother … I need time to process that,' he said. 'It's difficult for our family … we are very emotional and we all need time to process. 'We just want to see justice and fairness, that's all we wanted.' In a letter read to the court during his sentencing, White said he was 'truly sorry' and took 'full responsibility' for his actions. 'I deeply regret my actions and the severe consequences they have caused,' White said. He said there 'isn't a single day' that goes by in which he didn't think about the day of the incident. 'I have lost the job and career I enjoyed immensely and dedicated myself to for over a decade,' he said. 'Police face difficult situations and are required to use judgment and if they make mistakes, they are expected to answer them, which I believe I have.' Mrs Nowland is survived by eight children, 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. White has not spent any time behind bars on remand since he was charged over the fatal confrontation. He lost his job as a police officer when he was convicted.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Video captures moment man wielding two knives tasered downtown
Video footage circulating on social media shows the moment a man holding two knives was tasered by police, ultimately dropping to the ground with a thud. The post, shared on X by user @l3v1at4an, shows a bearded man dressed in a blue tank top and black pants holding a knife in each hand as he is surrounded by two Toronto Police officers. The man is seemingly unaware of the officer approaching him slowly from behind before zapping him with a conducted energy weapon, causing the man to drop the knives and fall to the ground. A third officer appears and the man is subdued and placed in handcuffs. Late Friday afternoon, police said that while they can't verify it, the video in question appears to be related to a call earlier in the day. Police said officers responded to a call for a knife-wielding man near Bloor St. and Pauline Ave. – west of Dufferin St. – around 9:45 a.m. on Friday. CRIME SCENE: Five males sought for violent Pickering home invasion CRIME SCENE: Gun, drugs seized during traffic stop in Mississauga Police received information that a man was standing in the area holding two large knives. 'Officers were on scene within minutes,' Const. Viktor Sarudi said. 'The man did not comply with officers' demands and by 9:54 a.m. they had one male in custody.' Police said the man was taken to hospital. The 31-year-old, whose name was not released, faces two weapons-related charges.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- CTV News
Vehicle stop in Sagamok leads to weapons, drug seizure
A female driver is facing a string of charges after a search during a sobriety check revealed crack cocaine, a taser and knife.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bellevue police chase robbery suspect into Seattle on I-90
A suspect in Bellevue allegedly attempted to rob a business using a taser at around 4:15 p.m. on Friday, according to the Bellevue Police Department (BPD). BPD said officers responded to the business near 500 Bellevue Way Northeast and no injuries were reported, but the suspect fled the scene in a gray/silver car. Police followed the car on Bellevue Way Southeast, then onto I-90 westbound toward Seattle. Video captured on traffic cams shows multiple officers pursuing the car over the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and into Seattle. BPD says the suspect exited I-90 and entered the Beacon Hill neighborhood, where officers ended the pursuit because the driver entered a residential area. No damage was reported during the pursuit, and police do not believe the public's safety is at greater risk, according to BPD. Police ask for any information related to the incident to call 425-577-5656.
