Closing arguments from both the Crown and the defence in the double murder trial of Travis Vader wrapped up in Edmonton on Thursday.
Defence lawyer, Brian Beresh, began his remarks earlier in the day by telling justice Denny Thomas that “the Crown has fallen woefully short” in proving their case against the accused killer.
Beresh told the court that prosecutor Ashely Finlayson’s case “lacks substance” and “real evidence” – even referencing a 1980s fast food slogan “Where’s the beef?”
On trial for the deaths of missing St. Albert couple Lyle and Marie McCann, Vader faces two counts of first-degree murder – the couple was last seen filling their motorhome with gas on July 3, 2010.
Beresh argued that the Crown has yet to prove that the St. Albert couple is actually deceased.
Vader’s lawyer also stated that his client has an alibi – he was in Edmonton on July 2 and into the afternoon of July 3.
The defence said two men who testified against Vader – Dave Olson, known as ‘Bandana Dave’, and Myles Ingersoll, also had ulterior motives during the trial.
“If deceit and treachery were cousins, they’d look a lot like Olson and Ingersoll,” Beresh told the court.
The Crown presented its closing arguments on Wednesday.
A verdict will be handed down on September 15, 2016.
With files from David Ewasuk
