Photo: Abbotsford Police

The man accused of fatally shooting an Abbotsford police officer will face trial next January.

Oscar Ferdinand Arfmann, 65, will be tried in New Westminster.

"Among the reasons is the size of the courthouse here in New Westminster offers more flexibility – there are many more courtrooms here in order to accommodate a trial of this length," Crown Counsel Theresa Iandiorio told CTV on Tuesday.

Abbotsford crimes are typically tried in the smaller Chilliwack courthouse.

"This particular courthouse is able to more readily deal with some of the perhaps unforeseen security issues that might arise," Iandiorio said.

Afrmann's jury trial is anticipated to take eight weeks. He made a brief court appearance on Tuesday.

No preliminary inquiry was held, and he will go straight to trial.

Arfmann is charged with the first-degree murder of Abbotsford Police Const. John Davidson, who was shot Nov. 6 in a stolen vehicle takedown. He has been in police custody since.

– with files from CTV Vancouver