Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in hit-and-run that dragged Calgary officer 437 metres
It was an emotional day in court on Wednesday when one of two men charged in the death of a Calgary Police Service (CPS) officer pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Amir Abdulrahman was the passenger in an SUV that Sgt. Andrew Harnett had stopped in the community of Falconridge on Dec. 31, 2020 after noticing its licence plate didn’t match its registration.
The vehicle took off, dragging 37-year-old Harnett 437 metres before he was thrown from it and into the path of an oncoming car.
Two other officers on scene tried to revive Harnett, but he died about an hour later.
Police say the vehicle was found abandoned and the two accused were arrested shortly after.
'Stop the f-cking vehicle': Bodycam footage offers insight into officer's death
Amir Abdulrahman is shown in an undated Calgary Police Service photo. (supplied)
Body-worn camera footage shown in court from Harnett and two other officers on scene show Harnett yelling “stop the vehicle. Stop the f-cking vehicle,” and Abdulrahman leaning over to grab the steering wheel of the vehicle at least twice while the driver fought with Harnett.
According to the agreed statement of facts, Harnett wasn’t attached to the vehicle but was holding on during the struggle.
The victim’s loved ones left the courtroom while the videos were shown.
There were so many people in attendance at Abdulrahman's court appearance on Wednesday that another courtroom was opened where attendees could watch a livestream of the proceedings, including CPS members in uniform.
Abdulrahman was originally charged with first-degree murder, which is automatic in Canada in cases involving the death of an on-duty police officer. However, Abdulrahman plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter days before his trial was set to start.
The Crown is seeking eight to 10 years in prison for Abdulrahman, saying he has not shown remorse and Harnett's death has greatly impacted the city and community as a whole.
“He left Sgt. Harnett to die on the cold hard pavement,” said Crown prosecutor Mike Ewenson.
The defence argued two years in prison followed by two years probation is reasonable. Balfour Der said his client wasn’t actually driving the vehicle, doesn’t have a lengthy criminal record and has show remorse.
“Unfortunately he was hanging with the wrong group when this event happened on New Year’s Eve so, it had some bad, bad consequences for him but as we heard in court today he’s seen the error of his ways."
Abdulrahman apologized to Harnett’s family, the CPS and his own family in court.
“If there was a way I could go back in time and undo all of this I would,” he said. “I’m here and I’m scared, but I know this is the right thing to do I have not forgiven myself and I will not be able to for a very long time.”
'You stole the love of my life': Victim’s family addresses Abdulrahman
A montage of images of Sgt. Andrew Harnett. (Twitter: Calgary Police Service) (Jan. 4, 2020)
Harnett’s widow Chelsea Goedhart was pregnant with the couple’s first child at the time of the officer’s death.
In her victim impact statement, Goedhart says she and Harnett were at the “peak of our lives” and had much to look forward to when he was killed.
She described the impacts of losing her husband and also the pain and grief of knowing her son will never meet his father.
“I did not choose to be a single parent. This decision was made by Mr. Abdulrahman,” Goedhart said. “My son’s innocence was taken before he was born."
Harnett’s brother broke down in tears during his statement and his mother described her late son as warm, loving, kind and compassionate.
“I love you forever, and as long as I’m here, you’re very proud mother I’ll be,” she read out loud in honour of her son’s favourite book as child, Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.
Sgt. Andrew Harnett is shown in a handout photo from the Calgary Police Service. (CPS handout)
A colleague and friend, Keegan Metz, called the Abdulrahman's crime callous and ignorant.
“I hope every day in prison is worse than the next,” Keegan Metz said directly to Abdulrahman. “You robbed us of the most honourable man I know.”
Harnett's widow says she is 'deeply disappointed'
Goedhart, Harnett’s widow, released a statement on Wednesday amid Abdulrahman's plea.
In it, the young mother says she is "deeply disappointed" in the "fractured judicial system" that allowed Abdulrahman to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
"However, there is no criminal charge or sentence strong enough to account for the complete devastation and tragedy we have endured, and will continue to deal with for the rest of our lives," Goedhart said.
"Instead, we choose to focus on celebrating the incredible man Andrew was, and the meaningful legacy he leaves behind."
Calgary Police Service says Harnett's loss is felt 'deeply'
On Wednesday, the Calgary Police Service also spoke out about the loss of Harnett.
In a statement, the CPS said Harnett's death is "felt as deeply" within the organization today as it was a year ago.
"Today’s guilty plea by the adult passenger accused in his case brings us one step closer to a resolution," the CPS said.
Harnett had been with the CPS for 12 years, and before that served as a military police officer with the Canadian Armed Forces.
The other man charged in Harnett's death cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because he was 17-years-old at the time.
His trial is scheduled to go ahead on Jan. 31, 2022.
"Given this matter remains before the court on sentencing, and a trial for the youth driver is still to come, we are unable to provide any further comment at this time," the CPS concluded.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.