Travis Vader denied day parole, maintains denial he killed Lyle and Marie McCann
Vader serving life sentence for manslaughter in 2010 deaths of St. Albert seniors
Travis Vader has been denied day parole in his first bid for release since he was sent to prison for killing St. Albert, Alta., seniors Lyle and Marie McCann.
Vader's life sentence on two counts of manslaughter began in early 2017, with no chance of parole for seven years.
He continues to insist he didn't kill the elderly couple in 2010, repeating at the Parole Board of Canada hearing Thursday that he denies involvement and doesn't know where their bodies are.
The hearing lasted several hours, with parole board members David Hunt and Ryan Nash questioning Vader about his criminal history and about programming and counselling he's done during his prison term.
Hunt told Vader there's an outstanding concern for "the capacity for you to potentially react with lethal means" if he feels threatened or attacked. Vader acknowledged past issues with acting out impulsively.
While the board members noted Vader has made some progress, maintaining sobriety since at least 2019 and showing motivation to change, an assessment found he still poses a high risk to violently reoffend.
The board determined that risk can't yet be appropriately managed in the community.
"You are entitled to hold your position of denial of accountability and responsibility, and it is not required to be granted parole that you admit to your offences," Nash told Vader in delivering the decision.
"But it certainly would lessen the harm you have caused through your actions in this offence. The harm is further compounded in not only the denial, but the family's inability to put to rest their loved ones."
Day parole opposed as 'premature'
The McCanns, who were in their late 70s, were last seen alive on July 3, 2010. Their burned-out RV was found two days later at a campsite near Edson, Alta.
Their son, Bret McCann, said in a statement following Thursday's decision that the family is "so relieved" that Vader will stay in custody.
He said the man convicted of killing his parents shouldn't be granted release until he admits to his crimes and tells authorities where the remains are.
The parole officer handling Vader's case told the hearing that his behaviour continues to be "adversarial and challenging at times," and day parole release for Vader would be premature.
The officer said Vader has some reports of problematic behaviour while in custody, but "claims that many of the negative incidents on his file have been fabricated or falsified by staff."
Despite completing programming geared toward managing the risks he poses, Vader has also shown an "inconsistent ability to regulate his emotions, challenge his thoughts and gain more insight into his offence cycle."
Vader spoke at length during the parole hearing about his businesses and family life before a string of arrests and stints in and out of jail began in 2006. He said he's been learning to manage thoughts and attitudes that in the past he has used to justify substance use and violence, and confronting lingering trauma from abuse during his childhood.
"When I first came in [to prison] I was mad at the world. I felt unjustly convicted, didn't know where to turn, lost. I took a lot of deep thought, commitment, self reflection — why am I here?" he said.
"I can't change the facts of the case.... Right now, all I can do is work on myself."
Vader has been in various federal institutions in B.C. since his sentence began, and he's been in prison nearly eight years so far.
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