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A trial date has been set for the man accused of murdering an elderly St. Albert couple in 2010.

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Photos

Travis Edward Vader, who has been identified as a person of interest by the RCMP in the McCann investigation on Friday, July 16, 2010, is seen in this undated RCMP handout photo.

Travis Vader appeared in court Friday morning for a brief appearance. His case will go to trial in April 2014. Jury selection is scheduled for April 24 with the trial slated to start April 28.

The family of the victims said they are glad to see the case progressing.

"It is a relief for us to finally have the date set," Lyle and Marie McCann’s son Bret McCann said.

Earlier in the summer, crown prosecutors cancelled a preliminary hearing that was scheduled for October 2013.

Vader was charged with two counts of first degree murder while serving time at the Edmonton Remand Centre on unrelated matters in 2012.

In July 2010, Lyle and Marie McCann left St. Albert headed to British Columbia to visit family. Their burned out motorhome was found at a camping area near

Edson. Shortly after that, the SUV they were towing was also found.

The McCanns’ bodies have never been discovered.

The family says they plan to be in court for as much of the proceedings as possible so they can find out what happened to their parents.

"The police and the crown have sort of kept us informed of the status of the investigation but our family doesn’t know any of the evidence," Bret McCann admitted.

He does admit they realize it will be a difficult process.

"I’m not sure we’re prepared for that but I guess it will be better to know than to wonder," Bret said.

The jury trial is expected to last six weeks.

With files from Bill Fortier

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