Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 06:00 am

By: Megan Sarrazin

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EDSON – Travis Edward Vader, the man accused of murdering St. Albert couple Lyle and Marie McCann, had his case put over for two more weeks and is set to make his next court appearance Oct. 2.

Vader did not appear in an Edson courtroom Tuesday where Crown prosecutor Michelle Doyle asked that the case be put off for two or three weeks to obtain dates for a preliminary inquiry.

During a preliminary inquiry, the Crown is tasked with presenting its case to the judge, who then determines if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a trial. It is the first step in serious criminal cases.

Vader, 40, did not wish to attend court via closed-circuit television, said defence lawyer Michael Clancy, acting as an agent for Vader’s lawyer Anna Konye.

Vader is facing two first-degree murder charges for the death of Marie, 77, and Lyle McCann, 78. The couple was last seen alive on July 3, 2010 as they departed St. Albert in their motorhome to visit family in British Columbia.

The burnt-out shell of their motorhome was found near Minnow Lake campground near Edson on July 5. Their SUV, which was being towed behind the motorhome, was found a few weeks later, around the time that Vader was named a suspect in the case.

Police believe the McCanns were killed July 3, 2010 near Peers, which is roughly 40 kilometres east of Edson.

Vader was formally charged with first-degree murder on April 18 of this year — nearly two years after initially being named a suspect. He has been in police custody since July 19, 2010 on unrelated charges and is being held without bail in connection with the slayings.

Vader made his first court appearance on the murder charges on May 15, but had since reserved plea.