Crown to seek adult sentence in cop’s death

ACrown prosecutor says he will be seeking an adult sentence for an accused teen if he is convicted in a Calgary police officer’s death.

Doug Taylor made the comment at the start of a bail hearing Tuesday for the 18year-old.

The accused was 17 when he was charged earlier this month with first-degree murder in the death of Sgt. Andrew Harnett, so cannot be named under the

Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The officer was hit and dragged while attempting to stop an SUV with plates that didn’t match on New Year’s Eve. Paramedics and fellow officers tried to revive him, but he died in hospital nearly an hour later.

Police allege the youth was driving the vehicle and a 19year-old, who also faces a charge of first-degree murder, was a passenger.

“I, of course on behalf of the attorney general, have just filed a notice of intention by the attorney general to apply for an adult sentence,” Taylor told court.

An adult sentence for a young offender convicted of first-degree murder is life in prison with no parole eligibility for 10 years.

Taylor said the Crown is also opposing the young man’s release from custody.

The co-accused in the case, Amir Abdulrahman is to appear in court Feb. 4. His lawyer, Balfour Der, has said he intends to seek bail on Feb. 12.

Court documents indicate that, at the time Harnett was killed, Adbulrahman was wanted on outstanding warrants on several charges, including assault and failing to appear in court.