Bosma case: man curses at Millard, Smich during jury selection
Adam Carter | CBC News | Posted: January 20, 2016 5:40 PM | Last Updated: January 20, 2016
Dellen Millard and Mark Smich facing 1st-degree murder charges
One man couldn't keep his composure during jury selection Wednesday for the case of two men who have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Ancaster, Ont.'s Tim Bosma.
For the third straight day, prospective jurors were called in front of Justice Andrew Goodman to explain whether or not they could serve for the trial in the Bosma case.
One man said he knew the Bosma family, and was deferred to come back on a different trial.
While walking out of the courtroom, he looked over at the accused — Dellen Millard, 30, and Mark Smich, 28, — and venomously spat "f---ers" before leaving the room.
The man was just one of several people who have been deferred or excused from the jury pool so far for knowing the Bosma family.
Two others were also released from the trial Wednesday — one man who attended the Ancaster Christian Reformed Church (where the family is very involved) and a woman who said she had a co-worker who is a relative of the family.
Others were excused for medical reasons or for not having a firm enough grasp of English to participate.
Just like the last two days of jury selection, some people appeared to have ignored their summons and weren't present in the courtroom.
They won't be off the hook, however — Justice Goodman has instructed the sheriff to track those people down and bring them before the court in February to explain their absence.
Bosma, 32, vanished on May 6, 2013, while trying to sell his truck. His charred remains were found days later.
Two weeks have been set aside for jury selection, with evidence expected to be presented starting Feb. 1.
Jury selection continues all week. On Thursday, the challenge for cause portion of jury selection begins — where people from the panel who made it past the first section will be asked a series of questions to determine their eligibility.
CBC News will be in the courtroom throughout the proceedings. Follow reporter Adam Carter on Twitter for updates.