Manslaughter sentence to be handed down in Calgary traffic stop killing of Sgt. Andrew Harnett

The Calgary man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of a Sgt. Andrew Harnett will learn his sentence Friday morning.

Amir Abdulrahman, 20, was the passenger in an SUV that took off during a traffic stop on New Year's Eve 2020, dragging the officer 400 metres before he was thrown into the path of an oncoming car.

Originally charged with first-degree murder, Abdulrahman pleaded guilty to manslaughter before Court of Queen's Bench Justice Robert Hall in December.

Prosecutor Mike Ewenson proposed an eight- to nine-year sentence, while defence lawyer Balfour Der argued his client should be handed a two-year jail term plus two years' probation.

The man police allege was driving at the time of Harnett's death is set to go on trial on a charge of first-degree murder on Monday. He was 17 years old at the time and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Harnett's widow and his Ontario-based mother and brother are expected to be in court for the sentencing.

In December, the three delivered powerful victim impact statements; Harnett's mother and brother both urged Abdulrahman to make better choices and to change his life. 

Chelsea Goedhart, delivered a powerful victim impact statement that described living with "soul-crushing grief" as she experienced her pregnancy and parenthood without her partner.

When offered the chance to speak, Abdulrahman gave a tearful apology to his victim's family and said: "I promise I will change my ways."

On Dec. 31, 2020, Abdulrahman and his friend were on their way to a party when they were pulled over by Harnett because the vehicle's lights weren't on.

The driver pulled into a Petro-Canada gas station on Falconridge in the northeast part of the city.

In the course of his brief investigation, Harnett learned the teen had only a learner's licence and that there were warrants out for Abdulrahman's arrest.

By that point, two fellow officers had arrived on scene and made a plan so Harnett was to serve the traffic tickets on the driver while another officer arrested Abdulrahman.

But as the other officer approached Abdulrahman, and with Harnett standing at the driver's window, the vehicle took off.