Senior Constable Kristian White is giving evidence at his own trial in the NSW Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to the manslaughter of great-grandmother Clare Nowland.
Senior Constable White tasered the 95-year-old at the Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma in May 2023, which resulted in her falling to the ground and hitting her head.
She was taken to Cooma Hospital where she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain bleed and died a week later.
Mrs Nowland was found using a four-wheeled walker and holding a serrated steak knife in her right hand moments before she was tasered.
The manslaughter trial of Senior Constable Kristian White (left) is entering its second week. (ABC News: Keana Naughton)
Senior Constable White’s trial has entered its sixth day in Sydney, where defence barrister Troy Edwards SC called on his client to enter the witness box to give evidence.
It is the first time the officer has spoken publicly since the incident occurred.
He was asked a series of questions about his training as a police officer, and if he remembered the advice about dealing with someone carrying a knife.
“It was taught that you don’t underestimate anyone carrying a knife, at all,” Senior Constable White said.
The prosecution alleges the 34-year-old committed manslaughter by way of criminal negligence or by committing an unlawful or dangerous act.
The defence argues their client’s actions were not disproportionate to the threat.
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