Bail denied for teen accused of murdering Calgary police officer

The teen accused of murdering Calgary police Sgt. Andrew Harnetthas been denied bail.

The now-18-year-old cannot be named underthe Youth Criminal Justice Act because he was 17 years old when he wasaccused of killing the officer.

On Thursday morning, youth court Judge Steve Lipton denied bail to the teen, after hearingarguments last week from prosecutor Doug Taylor, who opposed bail, and defencelawyer Kaysi Fagan, who argued for her client's release.

Lipton's reasons for denying release, as well as thearguments and evidence presented at the bail hearing,are protected by a publication ban.

Taylor has indicated that if convicted, the Crown would seek an adult sentence for the youth, and that couldmean life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 10 years.

Harnett, 37, was killed on New Year's Eve when he was fatally injured during a traffic stop by a fleeing SUV, which police allege was being driven by the youth.

Amir Abdulrahman, 19,also faces a charge of first-degree murder.

• Body camera footage from slain Calgary police officer to be played at bail hearing

Theaccused's siblings and mother, along with journalists and two police officers, were in court for the hearing.

Harnett was patrolling the streets in District 5 on New Year's Eve when, around 11 p.m., he pulled over an SUV that didn't have its lights on.

After speaking with the driver, who police allege is the younger accused teen, Harnett was in the process of issuing traffic tickets related to the driver's graduated licence and headlights.

CBC News previously reported thatHarnett was carried 400 metres before he was flung from the fleeing SUV.

Other officers and paramedics tried to save Harnett, but he died in hospital shortly after arrival.

Court documents showAbdulrahmanwas wanted on four warrants, including one for assault and three for failure to comply with court orders.

Abdulrahman's bail hearing is set to take place next month.