Police detained a television news reporter and a camera crew shortly after they approached former police officer Kristian White.
White was found guilty of manslaughter last week for firing his stun gun at great-grandmother Clare Nowland, 95, at the Yallambee Lodge nursing home in the southern New South Wales town of Cooma during the first hours of May 17, 2023.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed on Tuesday that the 34-year-old had been dismissed after being suspended without pay throughout the trial.
White was released on bail until his next sentencing hearing in February.
Seven News reporter Annie Pullar and a camera crew confronted White in Cooma on Thursday to ask him how it felt to be free for Christmas and if he had anything to say to Ms Nowland’s grieving family.
Dressed in a gray T-shirt, black shorts, thongs and wraparound sunglasses, White remained silent as he got into his car and drove away.
The television crew then left, but a highway patrol officer stopped them a few minutes later.
Kristian White (pictured) was confronted by Channel Seven reporter Annie Pullar days after he was found guilty of manslaughter and retired from the New South Wales Police.
A few minutes later, the Seven news team were stopped by a highway patrol officer (pictured) who told them that “someone has just called the police regarding the media.”
After asking the cameraman to give him a breathalyzer test, the police officer said that “someone just called the police about the media.”
“I’m guessing it has something to do with a matter that’s obviously before the court, (or) not before the court,” the officer was heard telling the news crew.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted New South Wales Police for comment.
Nowland’s granddaughter, Kylie Paske, said she was baffled as to why White was granted bail.
“I don’t trust the police anymore,” he told Seven News.
Paske forgave the former police officer for firing the stun gun and “cried for him” after the verdict.
But he added that “he is guilty, he pulled the trigger.”
It comes after Commissioner Webb announced Tuesday that she has “no confidence” in White’s “suitability to continue as a police officer.”
“Accordingly, I removed it from the New South Wales Police and their legal counsel reported it,” he said.
“I have spoken to the family of the 95-year-old victim involved in this matter and informed them of my decision.”
Last week, White was found guilty of unlawfully killing 95-year-old grandmother Clare Nowland (pictured).
Kristian White has been granted bail while he awaits a sentencing hearing in February.
In a video played at his trial in the NSW Supreme Court, White was heard saying “fuck no” before shooting Ms Nowland in the torso at the nursing home.
The 95-year-old woman, who was holding a steak knife at the time, fell backwards and hit her head before dying a week later in hospital.
The court heard that Constable White and Acting Sergeant Jessica Pank were called to the facility in response to a triple-0 call claiming a “very aggressive resident” was holding two knives.
Shortly before 5am, Mrs Nowland had entered the rooms of four residents before officers arrived. The grandmother had thrown a knife at a member of staff.
White faces up to 25 years behind bars, but was allowed to walk free from court before his sentencing in February.
“Lest there be any secrecy about this, I will not take any police officer into custody until I understand the conditions under which they will be held, if they are to be detained,” Judge Ian Harrison said at the time.
The Crown has requested that White be jailed.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb (pictured) confirmed the 34-year-old had been fired in a statement issued shortly before 3pm on Tuesday.
Mrs. Nowland is survived by eight children, 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
Several members of his large family traveled to attend the trial last week and said they were “very happy” with the jury’s verdict.
“The family would like to thank the judge and jury for carefully considering the matter and the Public Prosecutor’s Office prosecution team for their hard work,” the lawyer said outside court.
“It will take some time for the family to accept the jury’s confirmation that Clare’s death at the hands of a serving NSW police officer was a criminal and unjustified act.”