Jury selection began this morning for the trial of a Whitehorse man accused of attempting to murder a Haines Junction RCMP officer and another Haines Junction man.

Christopher Cornell, 31, was charged on Sept. 26, 2011 with two counts of attempted murder, shooting a gun at Cpl. Kim MacKellar and his marked RCMP vehicle, and several other criminal charges.

The sheriff's office sent out 440 summonses to potential jurors, more than half of whom were excused prior to today for any number of reasons accepted by the court.

Of the 185 or so ordered to show up this morning for jury selection at the Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre, approximately 145 indicated they were present when their names were called.

The centre was chosen for jury selection because of its additional seating capacity.

Justice Leigh Gower of the Yukon Supreme Court is presiding.

As of noon today, Gower was still involved in the exercise of excusing more of the potential jury candidates, before the Crown prosecutor and defence lawyer began the selection process.

The judge excused a further 64 candidates as of noon, for a variety of reasons.

Many told the judge sitting on the jury for the three or four weeks the trial is scheduled for would create a financial hardship or a hardship for their families, some of which were single-parent families.

Others indicated a personal relationship with either the accused or a relationship with one or more of the potential witnesses, the names of whom were provided on a list which was given to each of the 145 who attended this morning.

Some said they knew somebody involved in the trial, the judge included, but indicated that would not affect their ability to remain impartial as a member of the jury.

Gower did reject requests from about a dozen potential jurors.

Before the judge invited individuals to present reasons why they should be excused, he reminded the packed house of the importance of jury duty.

Yukoners, he said, are fortunate to live in a country where the rule of law prevails.

Gower said a jury is a cornerstone of Canada's judicial system.

Because of the length of the trial, that could cause issues if a juror becomes ill, for instance, 14 jurors instead of the normal 12 will be chosen to hear the case, Gower pointed out.

The accused stood and listened as each of the nine charges he faces was read out, pleading not guilty to each one of them.

Gower provided a brief description of the events leading up to the charges.

Cornell, he said, is accused of breaking into the Madley General Store in Haines Junction, and using bear spray during the break-in.

He is also accused of fleeing north while being pursued by Cpl. MacKellar in his police vehicle, and shooting at MacKellar's vehicle, resulting in the corporal being wounded.

Jury selection by the Crown prosecutor and defence lawyer from the remaining candidates was expected to continue this afternoon.

The jury is expected to begin hearing evidence later this week, possibly Tuesday.

Cornell pleaded not guilty this morning to the following charges:

• attempting to murder MacKellar by shooting a rifle at him;

• attempting to murder Shane Oakley by shooting a rifle at him;

• shooting at MacKellar and Oakley while attempting to prevent an arrest;

• shooting at an occupied vehicle bearing RCMP markings;

• wounding MacKellar while he was executing his duties;

• using a firearm while fleeing after committing, or attempting to commit, a robbery;

• using bear spray to assault Frank Parent; and

• using violence against Frank Parent while stealing a safe from the general store in Haines Junction.