Tim Bosma trial: Girlfriend of accused wanted to believe he wasn't killer

Marlena Meneses and Mark Smich are seen in this November 2012 photo entered into court exhibits.

The former girlfriend of one of the men charged in the murder of Tim Bosma says she was in an abusive relationship with the accused but still didn’t want to believe he was involved in Bosma’s death.

Marlena Meneses, 22, testified Monday that she didn’t ask many questions when her boyfriend, Mark Smich, told her that it was his friend and co-accused, Dellen Millard, who shot and killed Bosma, a husband and father of one.

“You wanted to believe in your heart and soul that Smich didn’t do anything?” Millard’s lawyer, Nadir Sachak, asked during cross-examination.

“Yes,” Meneses replied.

“If you told yourself he did it, your universe as you knew it would collapse?” the lawyer went on.

“Yes,” she said.

Smich, 28, of Oakville, Ont. and Millard, 30, of Toronto, have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Bosma's death.

Bosma, 32, went missing from his Ancaster home on May 6, 2013, after taking two strangers on a test drive of a pickup truck he was trying to sell.

His remains were found more than a week later, burned beyond recognition. The Crown alleges that Bosma was shot inside his truck and his body was later burned in an animal incinerator.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Meneses described her relationship with Smich as “horrific.” She said Smich was both physically and emotionally abusive and threatened to kick her out of his house if she didn’t sell drugs for him.

Meneses said their relationship was complicated and that she wanted to have a baby with Smich.

Meneses testified last week that Smich told her it was Millard who shot and killed Bosma.

Asked if she knew what happened afterward, Meneses said, “I believe (Smich) told me that they burned him.”

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