Travis Vader appeared in Edson court via closed circuit television from custody on Tuesday but did not speak. His lawyer, Brian Beresh, wants to take the coming weeks to look into the evidence, court heard.
The man charged in connection with the murder of two St. Albert seniors was arrested outside of Carrot Creek, Alta., on Feb. 28. Vader was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and six counts of failing to comply with court-ordered conditions.
Based on information from Alberta Justice and the Solicitor General, the charges include breaching conditions not to possess any firearms, ammunition, explosives or weapons, not to have contact with a named individual, and not to be in possession of non-prescription drugs.
In a previous interview, RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Sharon Franks said police were called to a residence near Carrot Creek, about 160 kilometres west of Edmonton, around 10:30 p.m. She said the owner of the home noticed a strange vehicle in his driveway but did not know the truck nor could he identify the driver. After the truck remained parked on the property for some time, the resident called the police. Officers identified Vader as the driver of the truck, which is also registered under his name.
Carrot Creek is a small community about 35 minutes by car east of Edson. Vader's family is from the area. Franks could not say whether Vader also lived there.
Vader is scheduled to return to Edson court on Tuesday, April 7 at 11 a.m..
Murder investigation and St. Albert court appearance
Vader, 42, is charged with double first-degree murder in connection with the disappearance of St. Albert seniors Lyle McCann, 78, and Marie McCann, 77. The couple went missing in July 2010 on a trip to British Columbia to visit family. The burned-out shell of their motorhome was discovered at a campground near Edson a few days later. The McCanns were declared legally dead in July 2011, and their bodies have never been found.
Vader was formally charged nearly two years after he was named a suspect. The charges were stayed in March 2014, a few weeks before Vader was to face a jury trial. He was rearrested in December and ordered to remain under house arrest.
On Feb. 12, he was arrested in St. Albert after police were called to the residence where he lived. He will be back in St. Albert court on Monday, April 13 to face assault charges stemming from the incident.
