Yukon judge mulls sentence in attempted murder of officers

The Whitehorse man who robbed a grocery store three years ago and shot at police has agreed to a jail term of more than 11 years in federal prison.

Defense and prosecution lawyers agree Chris Cornell, 33, also deserves a long term offender designation. That means he will be strictly supervised for a maximum of 10 years after he has served parole.

If his behaviour in prison is good, and remains so on parole, he'll have served his time by age 40.

But the lawyers cannot agree on how long he should be supervised.

The convictions against Cornell stem from a violent armed robbery three years ago in Haines Junction, Yukon. The incident included a drug-fueled high speed car chase up the Alaska Highway including shots fired at the police in pursuit.

One of the officers was seriously injured. Cornell was convicted of attempting to murder the two peace officers during the pursuit.

Psychiatric reports say Cornell needs intensive anti-violence and drug abuse programming available in federal penitentiaries.

The reports say he's a bright man motivated to reform because, considering his lengthy criminal past, Cornell knows this is his last chance to go straight.

Those same reports insist Cornell needs support and supervision when he's released. The prosecution says that supervision should be the maximum 10 years. The defense argues five years is more than enough.

Yukon Supreme Court Justice Leigh Gower will announce his decision next week.