TORONTO – Mark Smich was formally charged with first degree murder Thursday in connection with the death of Tim Bosma.
Bosma, a Hamilton father, disappeared after taking two men – who police allege to be Smich and Dellen Millard – on a test drive of his 2007 Dodge Ram pickup truck.
For ongoing coverage of the Tim Bosma case, click here
Smich was apprehended by police Wednesday morning while walking along Dorval Drive north of Wyecroft Road in Oakville.
When Smich was being arrested in Oakville, hundreds of people were beginning to gather for Bosma’s memorial in Hamilton.
On Thursday, Smich was remanded into custody until his next court appearance on June 13. His lawyer, Tom Dungey, said Smich will plead not guilty.
Global News has learned that Smich, 25, has a long history with the justice system.
He was convicted of drug possession in 2005 and 2006, for failing to comply twice in 2006 and impaired driving in 2009.
Smich is also facing a charge of mischief for allegedly spray-painting a highway overpass.
In a Facebook group called Dellen Millard Discuss the case, group organizers posted a video from the sharing site VideoBam that allegedly shows Smich acting in a music video. One organizer told Global News he had no confirmation that the person in the video was Smich.
The video opens with text saying, “A vision by JaYDolo, Starring Xander” and is called “Ghozted.” It shows scenes of murder and torture set to hip-hop music.
Watch an excerpt from the video below. Warning: Violent images not suitable for all viewers.
Someone who purports to be the producer of the music video made the following two statements on YouTube on May 22:
“I HAVE TAKEN IT DOWN BECAUSE THE MEDIA IS TRYING TO BLOW IT UP AS IF ITS CONNECTED TO THE TIMBOSMA CASE I HAVE BEEN POSTING THIS VIDEO EVERY WEEK FOR A YEAR AS I DO WITH ALL MY MUSIC- MARK IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY AND IN MY OPINION AS HIS FRIEND ” HE IS ONLY BEING PINPOINTED BECAUSE HE KNEW DELL. IF HE IS GUILTY THEN HE WILL SERVE HIS TIME AND ACCEPT HIS CONSEQUENCE – DPRUMG – DOLOPRODUCTIONS”
“THE GHOZTED VIDEO WAS NOT REAL! IT WAS ALL ACTING , I DIRECTED IT AND IT WAS MY VISION AND IDEA, I AM THE ONE HE HAS TIED UP AND I ALSO HAVE OTHERS ACTING IN THE VIDEO TOO, I MADE HIM ONLY AN ACTOR IN THE VIDEO!! AND IT WAS FROM 2012.”
Global News has made numerous efforts to confirm whether one of the people in the video is the accused. Initially, a friend of the accused confirmed his involvement, but later retracted her statement, and said it was not him.
On Wednesday, a witness to the search described military-like ETF officers coming in and out of Smich’s Oakville home where he lives with his mother.
“They looked like soldiers, like cops with helmets and I guess bullet proof jackets, and boots and submachine guns coming in and out of the house,” Michael Geary told Global News.
Fred James, who has lived on the street since 1988, was a neighbour to Smich who he said moved to Oakville approximately 5 years ago with his mother and two sisters. Smich’s two sisters have since moved out, he added.
He added that he didn’t know Smich well but occasionally “traded niceties” while mowing their lawns or shovelling their driveways.
James said he had a close relationship with the previous owners of Smich’s home but said the Smich family generally kept to themselves.
Nikki Ramsden grew up just down the street from Smich. She said she used to deliver newspapers to the family but didn’t know them well.
“I wouldn’t recognize him but I always saw them out on the porch just smoking and hanging out,” she said. “I guess you don’t really know your neighbours.”
But despite the serious charges the 25-year-old Oakville man faces, one of his friends broke down in tears and said he is “an amazing person.”
“He’s a sweetheart, he’ll do anything for you. He’s just a really good person,” said Cora Dacunha, adding that she set him up with his girlfriend before she continued crying.
Watch Dacunha’s reaction to news of Smich’s charges on May 22 below:
But that “sweetheart” is now facing murder charges, along with 27-year-old aviation company heir Dellen Millard.
Hamilton Police were previously searching two properties in the Waterloo area – at least one hangar at Waterloo International Airport and farm land in Ayr, Ont. – in connection with the investigation.
An incinerator was found on Millard’s farmland. While police have not confirmed where Bosma’s body was found in the Waterloo area, they did note it was badly burned.
Investigators continue to look for another person, yet to be named, who was seen in video evidence following Bosma’s truck. Police said the unnamed suspect was driving a dark blue Yukon SUV owned by Millard.
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