HAMILTON — One of Tim Bosma's accused killers admitted on the stand Wednesday to abusing his girlfriend as the lawyer for his co-accused continued to delve into his character.
Mark Smich, on the third day of cross-examination from Dellen Millard's lawyer in a Hamilton court, said he physically abused his girlfriend once, but could not recall the details of the incident.
Smich and Millard have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Bosma, who vanished on May 6, 2013, after taking two strangers for a test drive in his truck.
Millard's lawyer, Nadir Sachak, also reviewed Smich's extensive criminal record, which includes seven convictions.
Smich told court a graffiti charge in 2012 was an artistic expression and part of his involvement in hip-hop culture.
Smich said he sprayed his nickname "Say10" — a reference to Satan he says Millard gave him — on a highway overpass in Oakville, Ont.
Part of the morning focused on Smich's relationship to his former girlfriend, Marlena Meneses, who previously testified at the trial.
"It wasn't like I beat her, just one time I got physical with her," Smich told court.
Sachak pressed Smich further, asking why he called a woman he loved so much his "bitch."
"I was foolish, like I said, my vocabulary was terrible and I didn't use good words at that time," Smich responded.
Smich has previously testified that Millard fatally shot Bosma and burned his body in an animal incinerator. He said he had nothing to do with the killing, but helped Millard clean up afterward.
Smich said he received $200 and some marijuana from Millard for his role in stealing Bosma's truck.
