Under a lengthy and at times contentious cross-examination Tuesday, Mark Smich held fast to his claim that he had nothing to do with the shooting death of Tim Bosma.
Smich has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in connection with Bosma’s death, as has his co-accused Dellen Millard.
Jurors have heard that the two were close friends, and that Millard would pay for electronic items and even vacations for Smich.
Bosma’s death appeared to set the two friends against each other, with each claiming after the fact that the other was solely responsible for it.
Millard has opted not to testify in his own defence.
Smich has taken the stand, telling the trial that he was following Millard and Bosma in a second vehicle when Bosma was shot, inside the truck he was trying to sell.
Tuesday marked the second straight day in which Smich was questioned by Millard’s lawyer, Nadir Sachak.
The day began with jurors hearing testimony about Smich’s rap hobby, which he was hoping to turn into a career prior to Bosma’s May 2013 death.
Jurors saw a video of one rap and heard lyircs from others, including one in which he said he was “running away from police.”
Smich denied that the language used in his raps represented his personal values or the events surrounding Bosma’s death in any way, saying that they were just rhymes.
In the afternoon, Smich was questioned again about his and Millard’s plan to steal a truck, which he said began about a year before Bosma’s death.
Court heard that Millard took the lead in planning the heist, taking into account factors like not leaving evidence behind and finding a way to avoid being seen during the theft.
Smich told jurors that he was supposed to be paid about $200 for helping Millard steal the truck, but never saw that money.
Testimony then turned abruptly to an accusation from Millard’s lawyer.
“You screwed up Dell’s plan when you shot Bosma,” Sachak said.
“That’s not true, sir,” Smich responded, in one of several denials.
