Accused murderer Mark Smich spent much of Tuesday agreeing with questions posed to him by the Crown – but on the biggest question of all, the two remained in complete disagreement.

Smich and Dellen Millard are charged with first-degree murder in connection with the May 2013 death of Hamilton resident Bosma. The two men, who were close friends at the time, have pleaded not guilty.

The Crown contends that Smich and Millard were both at fault as Bosma was shot in his truck, his remains were taken to an airport hangar owned by Millard and incinerated, and the incinerator was then moved to a Millard-owned farm property in North Dumfries.

Smich has maintained that he was not in the truck when Bosma was shot, but was following behind in a second vehicle.

Millard will not be testifying in his own defence.

Tuesday’s cross-examination began with Crown attorney Craig Fraser suggesting that Smich and Millard planned to kill Bosma, in contrast to Smich’s claims that he believed they were only going out to steal a truck.

“The plan that you and Dellen Millard had was to steal, was to kill, was to burn,” Fraser said.

Smich denied that suggestion, but admitted to destroying evidence relating to the murder by ripping carpeting and seatbelts out of Bosma’s truck, and hosing it down.

He also agreed that the two had been planning their caper for approximately one year before visiting Bosma’s house.

Fraser questioned why it would have taken that much planning if all they were looking to deal was steal a truck.

“You needed a target to kill, and a target to burn,” he said.

Fraser introduced a number of text messages, including one from two weeks before Bosma’s disappearance.

In that message, Millard told Smich he was on his way to Waterloo to “figure out the BBQ situation for this week.”

Fraser claimed that “BBQ” referred to the incinerator allegedly used to cremate Bosma’s remains. Smich said it referred to a barbecue party Millard was hosting.

The Crown’s cross-examination of Smich is expected to finish on Wednesday.