The lawyer representing a Toronto man charged with first-degree murder in the death of Timothy Bosma says his client intends to plead not guilty. Meanwhile the wife of Bosma says she is “broken” following her husband’s horrific death.
Deepak Paradkar told reporters Wednesday that once the other suspects wanted in the Bosma investigation are apprehended, “you’ll get a fuller picture of what’s going on.”
“There is a story behind this which I can’t get into," Paradkar said outside a Hamilton court, shortly after his client Dellen Millard was charged with first degree murder. "Obviously it’s more than it appears to be.”
Paradkar said Millard is exercising his right to remain silent.
“Often, even an innocent person will remain silent for obvious reasons,” Paradkar said. “Something they might say or do inadvertently, they might find themselves in trouble, even having been innocent.”
Asked if Millard plans to help police in their search for at least two other suspects wanted in connection with the investigation of Bosma’s death, Paradkar said, “We’re leaving it to police.”
Bosma, a 32-year-old married father of one, disappeared on May 6 after leaving his Ancaster, Ont., home with two strangers for a test drive of a pickup truck he was selling.
When Bosma failed to return home, police launched a widespread search that took them throughout southern Ontario. On Tuesday police announced Bosma’s burned remains had been located in the Waterloo area. Police said Bosma was likely murdered shortly after heading out for the drive.
On Saturday Millard was arrested and charged with forcible confinement and theft over $5,000 in connection to Bosma’s disappearance. After confirming Bosma’s death, Hamilton police announced they would also lay a murder charge against the 27-year-old.
Millard made a brief appearance in a Hamilton court Wednesday morning, where he was formally charged. Sporting a white dress shirt and dress pants, Millard listened attentively and only spoke to say his name.
His next court appearance is scheduled for June 13, where he is slated to appear via video link.
Bosma’s widow speaks
Later on Wednesday, Bosma’s wife, Sharlene, tearfully spoke to the media, saying that she is “broken” by the death of her husband.
“Yesterday was the most horrifying day of my life … and people tell me that I have been so strong. And all I know is that I have a beautiful two-year-old girl at home, who now needs her mummy more than ever,” she said tearfully from Ancaster, Ont. “I know I cannot fall apart. But I am broken because part of me is gone.”
With family standing behind her, she thanked police, the community and the media for their support.
She added that she will work to keep her husband’s memory alive and make sure her daughter grows up knowing how much her father loved her.
“Tim will always be loved and he will always be remembered … I love you Tim,” she said.
A trust account to make donations to Sharlene Bosma and her daughter has been set up at TD Canada Trust.
Donations can be made in person, via telephone or online.
The account number is 6332096 and the branch number is 2047.
Defence lawyer: Suspect was not ‘hurting financially’
Paradkar said the charges against Millard are completely out of character and noted: “He’s not someone who’s arrogant or one of these rich brat kids. I would not describe him like that at all.”
He added that his client’s finances were in good shape.
“He’s not in debt, he owns a number of properties which are paid for. He was not hurting financially. The police have confirmed he had sufficient funds to easily purchase this truck if he wished to do so,” Paradkar said. “Why would this have happened given his financial circumstances?”
Millard’s grandfather founded Millardair, a charter airline and storage company, in the 1960s. Millard took over the family company after his father’s death last year.
Millard wrote an obituary for his father, stating that his dad “believed we can make a difference in the world. With Wayne in my heart, I believe we must.” In the obituary, Millard said he carried his father’s pilot’s licence with him.
Police said they believe that Bosma was targeted, but are unsure why. The exact cause of his death has yet to be determined.
More suspects sought
At least two other suspects are being sought in the investigation.
Investigators said another suspect went on the test drive with Bosma.
He is described as white with a medium build. He is approximately five-foot-nine inches tall with dark hair and he was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt with a hood pulled over his head.
Police also said a second vehicle followed Bosma’s truck during the test drive, but investigators are unsure of how many people were in that vehicle.
With a report from CTV Toronto’s Tamara Cherry
