When 33-year-old Kristian White, who is accused of Tasering 95-year-old Clare Nowland in her Cooma aged care home, appeared via video link in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday, magistrate Roger Clisdell was clearly irritated.
“Who runs this court, Ms Stuart? You or me?” he asked crown prosecutor Sally Stuart, The Australian has reported.
The magistrate expressed his “absolute disgust” the decision for the accused officer to appear via video link was made without consulting him, and said the court had hired additional security guards “at great expense” in anticipation of a strong press contingent at the hearing.
The officer – who has been suspended on full pay – has been accused of allegedly Tasering the grandmother of 24 on 17 May, after she approached him and a female officer while on her walking frame and carrying a steak knife.
She fell after being Tasered, fracturing her skull and later died in Cooma Base Hospital.
The officer has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.
The magistrate said “serious” threats had been made towards witnesses in the case, which has received a great deal of media attention.
The SOURCE: This distressing case highlights the importance of dementia training for first responders.
