The young offender behind the 2020 killing of Calgary Police Sergeant Andrew Harnett was sentenced to 12 years in prison, less time served in custody, after being found guilty of manslaughter.
The name of the offender is subject to a publication ban, as the offender was just shy of their 18th birthday when Sgt. Harnett was thrown from a speeding vehicle driven by the offender into the path of an oncoming vehicle and killed on Dec. 31, 2020.
Justice Anna Loparco’s written decision regarding sentencing was released on October 16, where she found that the offender had meant to cause Sgt. Harnett serious bodily harm.
Writing in her decision, she said that the offender had engaged multiple times to push Sgt. Harnett from the vehicle he was driving, and that the offender’s “deliberate actions to expel Sgt. Harnett from the car and leave him helpless in the middle of the roadway are particularly reckless and show a callous indifference to the fate of the victim.”
Justice Loparco, in her sentencing decision, said that the offender would receive credit for time served while in custody during the trial, resulting in 2,884 days of incarceration to be served—just short of 8 years.
In addition to prison, the offender received orders to provide a DNA sample and a lifetime weapons prohibition.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to members of the Harnett family for their tragic loss. I know that while this process has come to an end, your suffering will not,” wrote Justice Loparco.
“I hope you continue to seek solace in the memory of all of Sgt. Harnett’s incredible achievements and the kindness he clearly demonstrated towards others. I hope you find peace in knowing that Sgt. Harnett left an indelible mark on this community. He was an exceptional police officer who lost his life protecting society. His legacy will live on forever.”
