Yukon Supreme Court finds Michael Nehass guilty of assault

A Yukon Supreme Court jury has found Michael Nehass guilty of assaulting a Watson Lake womanthree-and-a-half years ago.

The two-week trial ended May 22with guilty verdicts on three of the four charges against Nehass.

The verdict was based on testimony in court and excluded discussion of Nehass'lengthy and violent criminal record.

Nehasshad told judge 'I did it'

Nehass has been incarcerated in Whitehorse more than three years.

Most of that timehas been in solitary confinement.

The jury was not told that earlier in the trial, Nehasshad actually changed his plea to guilty.

He hadmade a plea bargain with crown prosecutors and had toldthe judge, "It's hard to admit, I did it."

HoweverJudge Scott Brooker refused to accept the dealand insisted the trial continue.

Prosecutors have indicated they want Nehass deemed a "dangerous offender" meaning he could be jailed indefinitely.

No date has been set for sentencing.