Final juror sworn in at Whitehorse trial

An attempted murder trial in Whitehorse started hearing evidence this morning after a final juror was conscripted by sheriffs on the street Tuesday evening.

The trial is for Chris Cornell, 31, who is charged with trying to kill the police officers that pursued him in a high speed chase up the Alaska Highway two years ago.

A jury was selected on Monday, but on Tuesday one juror complained of medical issues and had to be excused.

That forced the presiding judge, Leigh Gower, to take the extraordinary measure ofordering Yukon sheriffs to the streets of Whitehorseto find a replacement.

Noel Sinclair,Yukon's associate chief federal prosecutor, said the talesman, or talisman, clausethat allows sheriffs to conscript people on the spot for jury duty is rarely used in Canada.

"Akin almost to being drafted to serve in the military, it's one of the few times the state or government has the authority to conscript people to be involved in the judicial process."

Ten Yukoners were conscripted on the street and summoned to appear in court Wednesday morning.

In court, nine of the 10 were excused for a variety of reasons before the 10th potential juror was deemed appropriate to serve. He joined a panel of 14 Yukoners who were sworn in this morning.

They received instructions from the judge and heard from the first witness shortly afterwards.

Jurors have been told the trial will last about four weeks.