By Tony Blais
Accused killer Travis Vader remains free on bail after the Crown decided Friday not to proceed with an application to have his release revoked.
Instead, a judge added three conditions to Vader’s current bail order, including that he be subject to random drug testing, not more than once a week.
Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Paul Belzil also ordered that Vader have no unlawful drugs where he was living and that he be subject to random police searches at those residences.
Vader, 44, is charged in connection with the 2010 disappearance of Lyle McCann, 78, and his 77-year-old wife Marie.
The judge presiding over Vader’s first-degree murder trial had ordered the bail review Wednesday, after Vader was late for court for the fourth time.
Defence lawyer Brian Beresh told court his client wasn’t on time because someone had borrowed Vader’s vehicle and had not returned it.
Last week, Thomas gave Vader a stern warning when he was late for court for the third time. Vader apologized for being about 30 minutes late, saying he "slept in" after his alarm did not go off.
He also told the judge he was being evicted from the Edmonton motel he stays at during the week because the owners were upset over the police repeatedly contacting them.
Thomas noted then that Vader had been late several times and had provided explanations, but said people were being inconvenienced.
"I’m warning you to not let it happen again," Thomas said.
"Yes, sir," Vader said.
Before that, Vader was twice late to court because of vehicle problems.
The McCanns was last seen July 3, 2010, leaving a Superstore in St. Albert. Two days later, their motorhome was found ablaze and abandoned at a campground by Minnow Lake, near Edson.
The Hyundai SUV they were towing was found in the woods on a rural property just off of Highway 16 east of Edson on July 16, 2010.
Court has heard police found blood spatter from the McCanns on items in the SUV, as well as Vader’s DNA, blood and fingerprints.
