Sentencing hearing begins for Travis Vader, convicted in deaths of St. Albert couple
Roberta Bell, Janice Johnston | CBC News | Posted: December 12, 2016 2:00 PM | Last Updated: December 12, 2016
Vader expected to take the stand after victim-impact statements from McCann family
Travis Vader is expected to take the stand this week at his sentencing hearing for the killing of St. Albert, Alta., couple Lyle and Marie McCann.
The hearing, which starts Monday and could last up to a week in Alberta's Court of Queen's Bench in Edmonton, will include victim-impact statements from the family of the slain seniors, whose bodies have never been found.
Defence lawyer Nate Whitling told CBC News that Vader, convicted of two counts of manslaughter, will testify, arguing his constitutional rights have been violated while in custody. Vader is expected to tell the court about jail conditions and argue for a reduced sentence or even a stay of the proceedings.
It's a sensational case that has already dragged on for six and a half years.
The McCanns were last seen alive in July 2010 at a gas station in their hometown of St. Albert. It was the first day of a road trip to British Columbia. Their burned-out RV was found days later in a rural area near Edson, Alta.
In September of this year, Vader was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder. But in coming to that decision, Justice Denny Thomas relied on an outdated section of the Criminal Code, prompting Vader's legal team to apply for a mistrial. While that was denied, the conviction was downgraded to manslaughter.
Sentences for manslaughter can vary from probation to life in prison.
The McCanns' son, Bret McCann, told CBC News he's hoping for the latter.
"I am very hopeful that the sentence will be life imprisonment or, at least, a significant and meaningful length," he said.
'Where are the bodies of my parents?'
In his victim-impact statement, Bret McCann said he plans to discuss the fact his elderly parents' bodies have never been found.
"I think it is a critical component of our grieving," he said. "And the one individual who knows where my parents are has said nothing for this whole time.
"Travis Vader: Where are the bodies of my parents? Vader has shown no sign of acknowledging that he caused the death of my parents. He's shown no remorse for what he has done."
Vader continues to maintain his innocence.
But in an interview two years ago with CBC News after he was released from custody, he expressed sympathy for the McCanns.
"What do I say to the McCann family? My heart goes out to them. Really it does. Truly. I can't imagine what they went through," Vader said.
Bret McCann said he wants Vader to know the family will not drop the issue of locating the bodies.
"Our family will be at this and any future hearings, and we will demand to know where he put the bodies of my parents," McCann said. "Our loss is huge. Our pain is everlasting."