Accused in McCann deaths granted mistrial in unrelated case

A Court of Queen's Bench Justice declared a mistrial Friday in a case involving the man accused of killing two St. Albert seniors.

Travis Vader was convicted last spring on eight charges related to incidents in the Barrhead area including theft of a truck, trafficking methamphetamines and possessing an illegal weapon.

However, it was later discovered that two witness statements had not been given to Vader's lawyer. 

Crown prosecutor Michelle Doyle told Justice June Ross during Vader's sentencing hearing in August that she didn't know the statements existed until then.

Vader is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Lyle and Marie McCann.

The St. Albert couple was last seen alive in July 2010. Their bodies have never been found.