Accused murderer Travis Vader is back behind bars after he was arrested Tuesday evening for a breach of recognizance.
An Alberta RCMP spokesperson confirmed Wednesday morning that he had been arrested and was scheduled for a bail hearing. As of Wednesday morning, an Alberta Justice spokesperson could not provide details of the charge.
Media reports citing court documents indicate Vader tested positive for methamphetamine on May 5 and also tried to contact Crown witness Donald Bulmer between March 12 and April 17.
Bulmer’s testimony May 2 included a description of Bulmer picking up a stranded Vader from a remote area southeast of Edson about a week after he’s accused to killing St. Albert couple Lyle and Marie McCann, in which Vader apparently set the truck on fire. That truck had been reported stolen.
Vader appeared briefly in court Wednesday morning, and a bail hearing was set for May 18.
This is not the first issue Vader has had with respect to his bail conditions during the trial for the first-degree murder of elderly St. Albert couple Lyle and Marie McCann.
After the fourth time he showed up late to court, Justice Denny Thomas ordered a bail review. Justice Paul Belzil presided over the review, during which Crown and defence lawyers agreed to modify Vader’s release conditions rather than revoke his release.
Evidence presented at the hearing is subject to a publication ban, but ultimately Crown and defence agreed to modify his existing conditions rather than revoke his release. Addition conditions were that Vader must submit to a random drug test once per week, that police can randomly search Vader’s residence once per week and that he must not have any illegal drugs in his residence.
Vader’s trial is expected to continue Thursday, with defence lawyer Brian Beresh beginning to present his case. Crown prosecutors have all but finished presenting evidence in their case.
Lawyers are still awaiting a decision from Thomas on the admissibility of text messages associated with several phone numbers including those attributed to Vader and his associates. Crown prosecutor Ashley Finlayson said the Crown may wish to call evidence on those matters if the texts are ruled inadmissible, but otherwise their case is complete.
