Passenger gets five years in hit-and-run death of Calgary police officer

CALGARY - A choose says the actions of a passenger within the hit-and-run dying of a police officer might have been “average to minimal” however he nonetheless deserves a sentence of 5 years in jail.

Amir Abdulrahman, 20, pleaded responsible final month to manslaughter for his position in Calgary police Sgt. Andrew Harnett’s dying.

Police have stated Harnett, who was 37, tried to cease an SUV on Dec. 31, 2020, after he observed its licence plate didn’t match its registration. Courtroom heard Harnett fell when the automobile sped off as he was struggling with the driving force. He was dragged earlier than being struck by a second, unrelated automobile on the street.

Harnett died in hospital.

“(Abdulrahman) had solely moments to course of the truth that he was in a automobile fleeing from police earlier than he determined to help by grabbing the wheel. Primarily based on the truth that occasions had been unfolding extraordinarily rapidly, his involvement was largely spontaneous or reactionary,” Courtroom of Queen’s Bench Justice Robert Corridor stated Friday in sentencing Abdulrahman.

“Whereas he was a participant within the offence, in my opinion, his position was average to minimal.”

Corridor stated there isn't a proof Abdulrahman was concerned in any plan to take off, nor was he at any level in full management of the SUV.

However the public takes a dim view of assaults on cops and the punishment needed to be greater than the 2 years beneficial by the defence, the choose added.

“An applicable sentence on this case should additionally present justice to the household of the sufferer and the neighborhood basically,” stated Corridor.

“The mindless dying of Sgt. Harnett induced devastation, not solely to his household and colleagues, however to the town as a complete who mourned the lack of an exemplary officer.”

Abdulrahman was given credit score for the time he has been in custody since his arrest, which implies he faces one other three years and 5 months.

His lawyer stated the sentence was a bit extreme.

“Any time it includes a police officer, it’s a severe case and sentences are throughout the board all the time greater. However from my shopper’s minimal involvement, it was greater than I’d hoped for,” Balfour Der stated exterior courtroom.

Abdulrahman is a modified individual when it comes to his respect for police and the authorized system, Der stated.

“He was hanging with a nasty crowd when this occurred. I don’t anticipate his shadow will ever darken the doorstep of a courthouse ever once more.”

Abdulrahman apologized to the officer’s household when he pleaded responsible final month.

“I do know there are not any phrases, no actions that can ease the ache you’ve all been put by way of. However I owe you, on the very least, an apology,’’ he stated.

“I can solely hope that someplace in your hearts you’ll be capable of forgive me.’’

Prosecutor Mike Ewenson stated he was additionally disillusioned with the sentence. He had beneficial eight or 9 years.

“We felt that took into consideration the grave danger that cops face any time they’re on shift,” he stated.

“(Abdulrahman’s) position was clearly extra minimal than the driving force. That’s frequent sense. However, nonetheless, he did play a job. He was a celebration to this offence and his position and his actions had been a part of the causation of Sgt. Harnett’s dying.”

A primary-degree homicide trial for the teenager who was allegedly driving is to start Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 28, 2022.