A police officer who fatally shocked a 95-year-old woman with a Taser at an Australian nursing home has been found guilty of manslaughter, following a trial that revealed the woman did not pose an immediate threat at the time of the incident.
The case centers around the tragic death of Clare Nowland, a great-grandmother who was holding a knife when she was confronted by police officers at the New South Wales nursing home in May 2023. At the time, officers had been called to the facility after staff reported that Nowland was acting erratically, brandishing the knife, and refusing to cooperate.
Despite the elderly woman’s frailty and advanced age, and the fact that she had not physically threatened anyone, Officer Adam Grimes, 37, discharged his Taser at her from a distance. The shock led to Nowland collapsing, and she died from complications related to the shock just days later.
The prosecution argued that Nowland, who was reported to be suffering from dementia, did not pose an “imminent” danger to the officers or anyone else in the nursing home. Evidence presented at trial showed that Nowland, who was barely five feet tall and weighed less than 100 pounds, was not in a position to inflict serious harm.
During the trial, the jury deliberated on whether Grimes’ actions were reasonable under the circumstances. After careful consideration of the facts, the jury concluded that the use of the Taser was excessive and unjustified, ultimately finding the officer guilty of manslaughter.
Grimes was remanded in custody and will be sentenced in the coming weeks. His defense team argued that the officer feared for his safety, but the jury sided with the prosecution’s view that the threat posed by Nowland was not imminent, and the use of such force was disproportionate.
Nowland’s family expressed relief after the verdict, stating in a statement, “No one should ever have to die in this way, especially a woman of 95, who had no chance to defend herself. We hope this verdict sends a message that excessive force on vulnerable people is never acceptable.”
The incident has raised broader questions about the use of Tasers by police, particularly in situations involving elderly or mentally impaired individuals. Advocacy groups are calling for more comprehensive training for officers on handling vulnerable populations in non-violent ways.
This case marks a rare conviction of a police officer for the use of excessive force in Australia and has sparked discussions on policing standards, particularly concerning vulnerable individuals in care facilities.
