A teenager has been found guilty of manslaughter in the death of a Calgary police officer Thursday. Sgt. Andrew Harnett died in hospital on December 31, 2020, after he was swept away by a speeding SUV and fell into the path of an oncoming car. The defendant, who cannot be identified because he was 17 at the time, testified that he became afraid when Harnett and another officer approached the vehicle during a traffic stop and saw Harnett reach for his gun. Solicitor Mike Ewenson said the evidence showed there was no doubt the teenager, who is now 19, intended to harm Harnett. The defense said the suspect is guilty of manslaughter but not murder. “The youth of the defendant must be taken into account,” said Judge Anna Loparco. “I am left with a reasonable doubt as to whether the defendant turned his mind at that time to whether the consequences of his actions would cause Harnett’s death. “I find the defendant guilty of manslaughter.” The vehicle’s passenger, Amir Abdulrahman, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to five years. With files from The Canadian Press and Mark Villani
