Mark Smich, the second suspect in the Tim Bosma murder, made a brief appearance at a Hamilton courthouse on Thursday morning. He faces a first-degree murder charge in the disappearance and death of Ancaster, Ont. father Tim Bosma.
A publication ban has been placed, The Hamilton Spectator's Susan Clairmont reported from the John Sopinka Courthouse. Smich has been remanded into custody and will return to court on June 13.
Shortly after the court appearance, Smich's lawyer, Tom Dungey, said to the media that his client would be pleading not guilty.
Smich, 25, of Oakville, Ont., was arrested on Wednesday morning. Hamilton Police Superintendent Dan Kinsella announced the arrest just hours after Bosma's family and friends held an emotional memorial service for the 32-year-old man.
Kinsella said that Smich and Dellen Millard, the first man arrested in Bosma's death, knew each other. Millard currently faces a first-degree murder charge as well as a charge of forcible confinement and theft of a vehicle.
CBC News spoke to Smich's father, Andrew Smich, who expressed shock at his son's arrest.
"He was normal," he said of his son's behaviour at a family wedding. "I didn't see any change, any difference."
"We're all sickened about it. It's a horrendous crime," Michael Geary, a man who lived in Smich's neighbourhood, said to CityNews.
Residents of the Smich's neighbourhood told Inside Halton, a local paper, that they only had minor problems with Smich.
Bosma, 32, went missing on May 6 after taking two men for a test drive in a pickup truck he had listed for sale online. After an exhaustive search, Millard was arrested by police. Investigators believe that Bosma's charred remains were found on Dellen Millard's farm.
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