Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Sentencing for man who murdered Abbotsford police officer

Sentencing for man who murdered Abbotsford police officer | iNFOnews.ca
Cst. John Davidson is shown in this undated handout photo. The British Columbia police officer killed in a shooting Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 has been identified. Abbotsford police Const. John Davidson died while responding to a report of a possible stolen vehicle. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Abbotsford Police Department

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. – The man who killed Abbotsford, B.C., police Const. John Davidson in November 2017 will be sentenced in court today.

The British Columbia Supreme Court trial heard the officer was ambushed by Oscar Arfmann who shot him twice from behind.

A psychiatrist said Arfmann had psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia at the time of the murder, but was capable of understanding his actions, although he denied killing the officer even after the conviction.

His lawyer, Martin Peters, says it was open to the court to find Arfmann not criminally responsible for the murder because of mental disorder.

Instead, Peters says Arfmann directed him to tell the judge that he wanted to be sentenced for first-degree murder.

The conviction of first-degree murder is an automatic life sentence of 25 years before parole can be considered, and today's hearing will also allow for victim impact statement from Davidson's family, friends and co-workers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 3, 2020.

News from © iNFOnews.ca, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

Kathy Michaels

Kathy Michaels has been an Okanagan-based journalist for more than a decade, working for community papers along the valley and beyond.
She’s won provincial and national awards in business, news and feature writing and says that her love for telling a good story rivals only her fondness for turning a good phrase.
If you have a story that deserves to be told in a thoughtful and compassionate manner, don’t hesitate to reach out.
To reach Kathy call 250-718-0428 or email kmichaels@infonews.ca.

Related Articles