Several new charges have been added to the list for the man considered as a suspect in the disappearance of Lyle and Marie McCann.
Travis Vader was in Barrhead court on June 2 to face a slew of charges. Heading into the preliminary inquiry, Vader faced 12 charges that included careless use and storage of a firearm to possession of stolen property. The preliminary hearing was unrelated to the disappearance of the couple.
Vader had additional charges levied against him including theft under $5,000 and failure to comply with bail conditions. Vader has only been named as a suspect in the disappearance. He has not been charged with any criminal offence in relation to the case.
Alberta sheriffs escorted Vader to court under high security. His ankles were shackled and the prisoner van was parked close to the entrance to prevent Vader from escaping. Vader was silent as he was ushered into the courthouse.
Judge Vaughn Meyers of the Alberta Queen’s Bench presided over the preliminary inquiry; Crown attorneys Michelle Doyle and Alicia Wendel handled the prosecution, while Daniel Mol served as defence counsel for Vader.
Vader sat silently as witnesses provided testimony regarding the charges.
At times, he seemed pensive, taking notes while listening to the testimonies. At other times, Vader looked around the courtroom or he appeared to disagree with statements made by witnesses. Vader was denied bail in October 2010 following a hearing at the Barrhead Courthouse.
A publication ban on evidence prohibits any information provided by witnesses to be published in The Leader. Judge Meyers said that information would become public during Vader’s trial.
Vader went from what RCMP called a “person of interest” to a suspect in August in relation to the disappearance of Lyle McCann, 78, and Marie McCann, 75. The elderly couple went missing in June.
In his decision for refusing to grant bail to Vader, Judge Charles Gardner said the accused had been in continual problems with the law in numerous Alberta jurisdictions over the past 18 months. Vader also faces charges in Fort Nelson, B.C. and Evansburg, Edmonton, Edson and Mayerthorpe.
Vader remains in custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre.
The McCanns were last seen on July 3, 2010 when the couple left for a holiday in British Columbia in their recreational vehicle.
On July 5, an Edson RCMP officer came across the couple’s burning RV. On July 16, their missing SUV was located. Mounties continue to investigate, but they haven’t charged anyone and the McCanns haven’t been found.
Vader was arrested last July by RCMP at a rural residence near Niton Junction.
On Aug. 31, 2010, police officially named him a suspect in the case.
