Judge to instruct jury Thursday in attempted murder trial

Jurors in the Chris Cornell attempted murder trial in Whitehorse are expected to begin deliberations Thursday after the judge said he needed more time to prepare his charge.

Cornell is charged with robbing a Haines Junction, Yukon grocery store two years ago, then trying to kill police who pursued him.

The 14 jurors heard almost four weeks of evidence and the lawyers made their final submissions Tuesday.

In summing up his case, Cornell's defence lawyer detailed holes in the Crown's case.  Cornell was never identified at the scene of the crime and testified last week that he wasn't even there when the robbery and police chase happened.

Cornell said a mysterious drug dealer, known only as Rider, went off with Cornell's girlfriend for more drugs the night in question, and was never seen again.

Jurors were told evidence tying Cornell to the crime must have been planted by police.

Prosecutors admit some of the evidence is circumstantial, but told the jury Cornell's story is a fabrication.

Cornell claims, for instance, he jogged 12 kilometres through the bush in just one hour to reunite with his girlfriend that night.

Prosecutors say, "for a 140-pound drug addict, high on heroin, to run that distance in the middle of the night — simply impossible."

After hearing Justice Leigh Gower's instructions Thursday morning, the jury will hold a draw to see which two jurors are dismissed.  The remaining 12 will then adjourn to decide on Cornell's guilt or innocence.