Photo: Castanet Staff

A man found guilty of taking part in an infamous 2012 police chase and shooting on Westside Road is now facing a dangerous offender assessment.

In February, Michael Edward Ellis, 41, was found guilty of 17 of 22 charges related to the incident, including pointing a firearm, committing a robbery using a restricted/prohibited firearm, knowingly possessing a firearm without a licence and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

He was found not guilty on five attempted murder charges.

Crown counsel wants Ellis labelled a dangerous offender.  If he is designated as such, he will spend an undetermined amount of time behind bars.

According to Crown spokesman Neil MacKenzie, Justice Ian Josephson put through the first step of the process on Tuesday by approving a court-ordered psychiatric assessment.

The in-custody assessment will be completed by a court-appointed psychiatrist to determine if Ellis is a danger to society.

If the recommendations is made, the case will go to a hearing and Ellis could remain in prison indefinitely.

He is expected back in court Aug 10, 2015. 

For more Castanet stories on this case, click here.