Travis Vader killed Alberta seniors in roadside robbery, Crown alleges

Travis Vader first killed either Lyle or Marie McCann during a violent roadside robbery, and then killed the survivor to "eliminate"that person as a witness, Crown prosecutors allege in closingarguments beingpresented todayat Vader's murder trial in Edmonton.

The written arguments, including the Crown's theory of what happened to the two seniorsfrom St. Albert, Alta., in July 2010, were obtained by CBC News.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Denny Thomasis hearing those argumentsWednesday.

Vader,who is currently behind bars,has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.

"Mr.Vaderhad a violent confrontation with theMcCannswhile they were stopped on or near the side of Highway 16 somewhere in the Peers,Alta.,area most likely occurring when Mr.Vaderwas in the process of stealing from them, and that during that violent confrontation, Mr.Vadermurdered either LyleMcCannor MarieMcCann," the court document states.

"Given the age and strength of the survivingMcCann, it is submitted that that person would have posed no threat to Mr.Vaderand that he murdered the survivor to eliminate them as a witness."

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Vaderwas originally fromNitonJunction,Alta., but had no fixed address at the time of his arrest. Heis accused of killing the couple on July 3, 2010,just hours after they starteda road trip to British Columbia.

Prosecutors saythe McCanns werekilledsometime between noon and 2:14 p.m.,when, they say, the evidence shows Vader used the McCanns' cellphone to contact his thengirlfriend.

In a 30-page written summary, the prosecutors admit the precise time and location of the murders remaina mystery.

But they argue"the bloodletting event" took place between Wildwood and Edson,or at or near Peers, Alta.Peers is about atwo-hour drive from St. Albert.

The Crown admits its case is circumstantial. But prosecutors say that"when all the evidence is considered, the only rational conclusion that can be reached is that TravisVadermurdered Lyle and MarieMcCannsometime on July 3."

Prosecution 'exaggerates its case'

But defence lawyer Brian Beresh saidin his finalarguments that the prosecution "exaggerates its case" and suggests "it is not truly circumstantial in nature."

Bereshsuggeststhe Crown hasn't provedbeyond a reasonable doubt thatthe McCannsare dead, although he admits it is a "possible theory." Their bodies have never been found.

"The prosecution's proposed logic appears to be that disappearance equals death and that death equals murder.Such logic must be rejected," Bereshwrote.

Beresh admits the McCanns' disappearance is mysterious. Buthe added "we simply do not know what happened to Lyle and Marie McCann, when it happened, where it happened, or by whom and why it happened."

DNA evidence is crucial to the Crown's case.

The Crown saysVader's DNA wasfound on the steering wheel and armrest of the McCanns' SUV, on a can of beer in the front seat cup holder and on twoof Lyle McCann's baseball hatsfound inside the vehicle.

Lead prosecutor Ashley Finlayson wrote:"The Crown submits that the DNA was deposited in those locations because Travis Vader was driving the SUV ... while consuminga can of Boxer beer."

He added"the only conclusion that can be reached (after considering all the evidence) is that Vader placed those two baseball hats inside the SUV after Lyle McCann was murdered."

The defence dismissesthe DNA evidence as"inconclusive."

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Beresh suggests all it shows isthat Vader had some "incidental contact" with the vehicle between July 3and July 16, when the vehicle was found.

According to the defence, Vader could have leaned into the SUV and sneezed, or even had contact with another person or object that later made its way into the vehicle.

Beresh also concedes it's possible Vader stole the SUV and later abandoned it.

In his 53-page submission, Beresh wrote"the court would have to reject, among many other things, the very real possibilities that Mr. Vader discovered the SUV and cellphone together and abandoned, after the true killer had detached the motor home, or that Mr. Vader was given the SUV and cellphone" by someone else.

Somebody used the McCann cell phone

Someone used the McCanns' cellphone on July 3beginning at 2:14 p.m. to call and text Amber Williams, Vader'sex-girlfriend.

The Crown says Vader had to be the one sending those texts and making those calls, arguing"it strains credulity to even consider that it could have been someone else."

But the defence hasfloated the idea of an alternate suspect, whose first name also begins with the initial T.Terry McColman, at one time in Vader's circle of friends, isdead now, butthe defence suggests he was the author of those texts and calls.

The Crown refutes that."There is insufficient evidence for Terry McColman to be considered an alternate suspect," the written argument says.

The defence insists there is no forensic proof Vader ever had the McCanns'cellphone no fingerprints, no DNA, no witnesses who saw him using it.

Beresh wrote that"relating possession of the phone to the death of the McCanns relies upon speculation and conjecture and not reasonable inference drawing."

Star witness testimony 'purchased' byRCMP

Dave Olson,a star witness for the Crown,testified Vader showed up at his home on July 3sometime around noon, driving a truck and complaining he had no money.

The Crown says Vader returned to Olson'shomearound 5:20 p.m. that same day with cash and a different vehiclean SUV that resembled the one belongingto the McCanns. Prosecutors sayVader left Olson's house frustrated and angry and ran into the McCanns after that.

ButBeresh alleges Olson's testimony was "purchased" by the RCMP. He calls Olson's evidence "clearly carefully selected and rehearsed," and argues "it should be given no weight."

• Read the Crown's closing arguments
• Read the defence arguments

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2892938-Travis-Vader-Trial-Crown-Closing-Argument.html

The defence also suggests Vader showed up at Olson's house the first time around 2:30 or 3p.m. That's about the same time prosecutors saythe McCanns were murdered.

Beresh wrote"even if Olson is slightly off on his evidence with respect to the timeline, it is inconceivable that Mr. Vader would be able to brutally kill two people, hide their bodies and hide their very large motorhome in the short amount of time that he was away from Olson's residence.

"Moreover, it defies credulity to think that an individual who just killed an innocent elderly couple would go to his buddy's house immediately after to sit and have beers with him for several hours and do nothing but send love messages to his ex-girlfriend."

The keys to the McCanns' SUV were discovered by RCMP in the flatbed of a stolen truck linked to Vader. The Crown does not mention that testimony in its closing argument.

But the defence suggests it's "inconceivable" a number of Mounties missed finding the keys during their many examinations of the vehicle.Beresh noted"the RCMP not only had the opportunity to plant the SUV key in the truck, but ... also had the means and a strong motive to tie the vehicle to Mr. Vader."

The burned-out motor home

The McCanns' motorhome was discovered on fire at a campground outside of Edson on July 5, 2010.

During the trial, a number of witnesses testified Vader was at a rooming house in Edmonton between July 4and July 9.Bereshsaidthat "should leave the court with serious doubts as to Mr. Vader's involvement in the fire at this motorhome, and ultimately the alleged deaths of the McCanns."

Vader'salleged drug use

The prosecution paintsVader as a financially destitute man, desperate for methamphetamine. They point to evidence from numerous witnesses who testified they tookdrugs with Vader, and theorize he robbed the McCanns to get money for his next fix.

The defence calls thatissue a "red herring."

"It appears the prosecution's theory is that Mr. Vader...was so desperate that he would somehow interfere with a large RV/SUV combination somewhere on a busy public highway where detection would be obvious ... all for money to fuel his alleged addiction.

"It is a theory not supported by evidence and which can only be considered speculation and conjecture."

The circumstantial case

Both the Crown and defence agree Vader can only be convicted on the basis of circumstantial evidence "if the evidence is inconsistent with any other rational conclusion."

Finlayson, the lead prosecutor,argues it's the only "possible conclusion."

But Bereshsaid"the gaps in the evidence are too great to allow the necessary inferences to be drawn.".

He added: "The defence submits that the prosecution has fallen woefully short of meeting its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt for any criminal offence."

After closing arguments are delivered, it will be up toThomas to weigh all the evidence and reach a verdict, something he hasindicated will take untilthe end of August or early September.

janice.johnston@cbc.ca

@cbcjanjohnston