A police officer accused of fatally tasering a 95-year-old great grandmother will return to court for the first time since being charged with manslaughter.

Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, used a stun gun on Clare Nowland at an aged care home in the southern NSW town of Cooma on May 17.

Mrs Nowland, who weighed 43 kilograms and lived with dementia, was confronted by NSW Police while using a walking frame and holding a steak knife.

When White tasered the grandmother, she fell and struck her head on the ground, fracturing her skull.

The 95-year-old was rushed to Cooma Hospital where she battled her critical injuries for a week before dying on May 24.

White was initially charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

But in late November, the offences were upgraded to manslaughter after investigators received advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, compared to 10 years for reckless infliction of grievous bodily harm.

White’s matter will return to Cooma Local Court on Wednesday and is the first listing since he was charged with the upgraded offence.

Though White was excused from appearing until his committal hearing, he may attend the mention to face the manslaughter charge.

The 33-year-old remains suspended from duty with pay as Mrs Nowland’s family launches their own legal battle against the state of NSW.

By Kat Wong in Canberra