Passenger pleads guilty to manslaughter in hit-and-run death of Calgary officer

A man charged in the hit-and-run death of a Calgary police officer has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Amir Abdulrahman has made a plea for manslaughter after originally being charged with first degree murder in the killing of Sgt. Andrew Harnett last New Year’s Eve. @citynewscalgary

— Stefanie Lasuik (@StefanieLasuik) December 8, 2021

A jury trial was to begin this week for Amir Abdulrahman on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Sgt. Andrew Harnett.

Police have said Harnett tried to stop an SUV on the evening of Dec. 31, when he noticed its licence plate didn’t match its registration.

RELATED: Family of slain CPS officer thanks city for support

Bodycam video of Harnett’s final moments played in court and showed Harnett making the traffic stop, and cordially speaking to the occupants.

After he discovered the passenger had four outstanding warrants, another officer went to arrest him.

The car took off with Harnett on the driver side. He told the driver to stop, but the car continued. The other officers decided not to shoot as to not hurt Harnett.

Harnett eventually fell, rolling into the path of another car.

Police alleged Abdulrahman, who is now 19, was a passenger in the SUV.

RELATED: Harnett lived with ‘a lot of joy’, says former CPS partner

The crown has asked for a sentence of 8 to 9 years for Abdulrahman, while the defence asked for two years of jail time, then two years of probation.

The judge has reserved his decision for Jan. 28.

“It’s a penitentiary term, so it’s long enough to send a message because remember, we’re dealing the passenger, we’re not talking about the driver,” said Balfour Der, the lawyer representing Abdulrahman.

The alleged driver, who was 17 at the time, is also charged with first-degree murder but cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

His trial is set to begin Jan. 31.

“I lost the love of my life.”

Sgt. Andrew Harnett’s widow, Chelsea, reads her victim impact statement, saying the greatest impact is borne by the couple’s baby, who was born after Harnett died.

She says their son’s innocence was taken before he was born. @citynewscalgary

— Stefanie Lasuik (@StefanieLasuik) December 8, 2021

“I lost the love of my life,” said Harnett’s widow, Chelsea Goedhart, in her victim impact statement during Wednesday’s proceedings.

“We were never going to get to be a family,” she said.

Goedhart said being a single parent is difficult and her child will never get to know his father.

“We remain alone. At the end of the day, there is no one coming through the door. My son’s innocence was taken before he was born.”

Harnett’s brother, Jason, broke down in an emotional sequence of statements, saying it’s excruciatingly more painful to have a loved one taken this way.

Sgt. Harnett’s brother, Jason, breaks down in an emotional sequence of statements this morning.

Says it’s excruciatingly more painful to have a loved one taken this way.

“There will never be a prison sentence to justify what you have taken from us.” @citynewscalgary

— Stefanie Lasuik (@StefanieLasuik) December 8, 2021

“There will never be a prison sentence to justify what you have taken from us.”

Harnett’s mother, Valerie, addressed Abdulrahman in her victim impact statement during Wednesday’s proceedings. She asked him to reflect on his life, make better decisions, and wished him well on that journey.

Sgt. Harnett’s mother, Valerie Harnett, addresses Abdulrahman in her victim impact statement. Asks him to reflect on his life, make better decisions, and wishes him well on that journey. @citynewscalgary

— Stefanie Lasuik (@StefanieLasuik) December 8, 2021

In all of these statements, Harnett is described as a model police officer and was someone who was always fair and never got angry despite working in some of Calgary’s most violent areas.

In court, Abdulrahman apologized to the family, other officers, the person driving the other car, and his own family.

He said he won’t forgive himself for a long time and promised to live on a straight path from now on.

“My client’s apology, first of all, which was quite heartfelt, and I’m sure they took it in the way in which he meant it which is that he is so sorry for their loss,” said Der.

Harnett’s brother said it was noble for him to apologize.

“I think my mom felt the same way. Are we in any position to offer forgiveness right now? No. Are we in a position to say we want time in jail? Absolutely not.”