Alberta prosecutor behind Canada's toughest prison term becomes judge

EDMONTON - The Alberta Crown prosecutor who pushed for the toughest prison sentence in Canada since the country's last execution has become a judge.

Steven Bilodeau has been appointed to the provincial criminal court in Edmonton.

The former chief Crown prosecutor headed the case against Travis Baumgartner, an armoured car guard who gunned down four crewmates on the job in 2012.

Three guards died and one survived.

Baumgartner, arrested at the U.S. border with a bag of stolen cash, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, attempted murder and two counts of second-degree murder.

A judge agreed with a plea bargain that gave the killer life with no chance of parole for 40 years.