Sixteen days into Travis Vader‘s double murder trial, the Crown presented a piece of evidence that ties the accused to Lyle and Marie McCann‘s SUV.
RCMP seized a Boxer beer can from the middle console of the SUV and took it to the Edson forensics lab to test it for prints.
Using a fuming chamber and dye stain, a partial print was lifted off the multicoloured beer can.
Sgt. Michael Donnelly said the print was treated as a “high priority” and was sent to an RCMP team trained to look through the fingerprint database.
“They advised me they made a match,” Donnelly said.
In a database with 10 million prints that match was Vader, Donnelly said.
READ MORE: Evidence ties Travis Vader to missing St. Albert couple’s SUV: Crown summary
The defence team has brought in its own fingerprint analyst to listen to Donnelly’s testimony.
In his opening statement, Vader’s lawyer, Brian Beresh, said the presence of fingerprints in this case is a “live issue.”
Beresh said evidence will reveal that in the last decade, three major cases in North America have established fingerprint testing is not infallible, and mistakes have been made.
During cross examination, Beresh questioned Donnelly about the timing of the fingerprint.
Donnelly testified he could not tell if the print was deposited a month or a year ago.
Beresh asked Donnelly if someone else could have touched the can.
“That’s a possibility,” said Donnelly.
Donnelly said many others could touch a can after a fingerprint is deposited and and not leave their own fingerprint.
Vader’s sister was scheduled to be in court Friday, but she did not show up.
TIMELINE: The key events in the Travis Vader case
Vader pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Lyle and Marie McCann from St. Albert.
The McCanns, who were in their late 70s, were last seen fuelling up their motorhome in their hometown near Edmonton on July 3, 2010. The motorhome was found on fire about 200 kilometres west of the city two days later. Their bodes were never found.
READ MORE: Travis Vader’s lawyer hints at alternative suspect for murders of Lyle and Marie McCann
The first-degree murder trial for Vader, 44, began Tuesday, March 8. It is expected to last until mid-April.
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