The defence contended that without evidence of human remains or a murder weapon, the Crown’s case was little more than a collection of theories and circumstantial evidence – suggesting there was no proof the two were even dead.
Advertisement
April 22: Vader files another lawsuit alleging misconduct by RCMP, malicious prosecution by the Crown and mistreatment by prison guards.
Reading a prepared statement outside Edmonton’s Law Courts Building immediately after the verdict, son Bret McCann said the convictions were a “huge relief” for the family and he thanked the RCMP and Crown “from the bottom of our hearts”.
July 10: Trudy Holder calls RCMP when her parents fail to show up in Abbotsford.
The Mounties would come to be under scrutiny several times throughout the investigation. “So I’m not sure what is going to happen”.
May 30: Vader is denied bail on new charges laid during his murder trial.
In March of 2014 the charges against him were stayed, but nine months later the charges were re-instated amid allegations RCMP had mishandled the case.
He said it’s possible Justice Thomas may have meant to refer to Section 229 in his decision instead of 230. I don’t know whether Vader should be convicted of murder or not.
Beresh said his client will appeal the verdict.
McCann recalled a July 2010 candlelight vigil in the plaza in front of St. Albert Place on St. Anne Street, when he still believed his parents were just lost, hurt or kidnapped.
Beresh countered that sneezing into a vehicle or onto items might be enough to transfer DNA. They argued there is public interest because of the cost of the extensive police investigation and trial.
If that foresight isn’t there, “at most you’re guilty of manslaughter”, the criminal lawyer said. He pleads guilty to failing to comply with a 2010 court order and is sentenced to one day of time served. Thomas issued repeated warnings not to let it happen again. Today, an Edmonton judge will hand down a verdict in the case, with cameras rolling in the court room-a first in Alberta. They were towing their SUV behind the motorhome.
Thomas also rejected a Crown scenario in which Vader killed one of the McCanns during the robbery and then killed the other to eliminate a witness. Mounties phone the couple’s home and knock on the door.
The keys to the couple’s SUV were eventually discovered in the bed of a stolen, burned-out truck that a witness said Vader had been driving.
His fingerprint was also found on a can of beer and cans of food.
Lyle McCann’s ball cap was found with a bullet hole and stained with his blood.
Advertisement
A judge will allow a news camera to broadcast his verdict Thursday in the murder trial of a man accused of killing two Alberta seniors. He said he’s not aware of it being used before in a judgment. The defence argued that only proved Vader had “incidental contact” with the vehicle.
