This morning Amir Abdulrahman, who has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Sgt. Andrew Harnett, pled guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. The guilty plea was entered this morning in Court of Queen’s Bench in Calgary. Previously the trial for Abdulrahman was supposed to begin on Monday this week.

Five victim impact statements were read in court. Including that of Harnett’s widow, who was pregnant at the time.

“My son’s innocence was taken before he was born. I grieve for a life my son will never get to experience with two loving parents.”

An agreed statement of facts was read in court. A video from Harnett’s body-worn camera and of the other officers on scene was played.

On December 31, 2020 Harnett, who was a Strathmore community member, tried to stop an SUV after he noticed its licence plates didn't match its registration.

According to the agreed statement of facts, the accused’s vehicle’s headlights were not working. The vehicle turned into a nearby parking lot, where the driver identified himself but said he did not have a driver’s licence. The driver said the passenger, Abdulrahman, had a licence, which Harnett asked him to produce. A third male was seated in the back seat of the vehicle, but that person has yet to be identified.

Officers on the scene revealed Abdulrahman’s outstanding warrants. The driver reached for the gear shift. Harnett opened the vehicle’s door in an attempt to stop it from leaving the scene, but the force of the vehicle driving away slammed the door shut. It’s believed the officer was dragged 427 meters, before he fell and was struck by another vehicle.

It’s alleged that Abdulrahman was the passenger in the vehicle and that a youth, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was the driver.

The driver who is charged with first-degree murder will go on trial on Jan. 31.