Tim Bosma trial: Dellen Millard's wealth again a focus

Questions about the financial situation of aviation dynasty heir Dellen Millard dominated much of the testimony Wednesday at the Tim Bosma trial.

Testimony resumed at the first-degree murder trial of Millard, 30, of Toronto, and co-accused MarkSmich, 28, ofOakville, Ont., after aweeklongbreak because of legal arguments and Easter holidays.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to killingBosma, 32, who lived in the suburbanAncasterarea of Hamiltonandwas last seen taking two men on a test drive of a truck he had for sale on May 6, 2013.

In Ontario Superior Court today, JavierVilladawasback in the witness boxtalking about the time he spent doing construction jobs for Millard. He previously said he set up a company calledVilladaHomes with Millard, and he was the foreman while Millard was the owner.

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Villada'stestimonyoffered a glimpse into Millard's finances.Millard's defence team has repeatedly attempted to portray their clientas well off, while the Crown has gone to great lengths to try to prove he was property rich yet cash poor.

Millard's lawyer NadirSachakcontinued his cross-examination by asking about a two- to three-week tripVilladatook to New Mexico with his 17-year-old son in 2013. Court has heard that trip was taken at Millard's behest to pick up a dune buggy.

"Any expenses associated with that New Mexico trip, Mr. Millard paid for?"Sachakasked. "Yes sir,"Villadaresponded.

Millard andVilladawere apparently in disagreement about how much moneyVilladaowed Millard, court heard. Millard said he was owed $11,288. "We both owed money to each other,"Villadacountered.Court has heard that Millard oversaw many of the financial aspects ofVillada'slife from his pay to his living accommodationsand the vehicles he drove.

Tax troubles

Last week,Villadatestifiedthat he received a statement from the government telling him he owed money in back taxes for the construction business.

Sachaksaid that wasn't exactly the case. "The government sent you a document saying you, JavierVillada, owe taxes for the person JavierVillada," he said.

In his cross-examination,Smich'slawyer ThomasDungeyattempted to chip away at the generous image Millard's legal team presented.

The original plan for the company the two startedwas to renovate, build and sell homes, court has heard.Dungeylisted several properties that Millard owned thatVilladaworked on, noting that the company never did any work on other properties.

"All that work was for the personal gain of Mr. Millard and had nothing to do withMillardAir, correct?"Dungeysaid.

He also asked about the lease dealVilladahad with Millard for a red Dodge truck registered toMillardAir.Dungeyrepeatedly said thatVilladawas working "night and day, seven days a week," and often using that company vehicle, which he was leasing for $450 a month, court has heard.

"You're actually paying Mr. Millard for his truck, when you're doing work for him, using his truck,"Dungeysaid.

Villadatestified that Millard owes him more than $20,000in past wages and expenses.

"So when Mr. Millard was arrested, you were left with all these receipts ... and you never got paid for that?"Dungeyasked.

"And also working hours too,"Villadareplied.

'That's not Mark'

Villadaalso testified that he had metSmichbeforeyet he couldn't pick him out in the courtroom, sitting directly in his line of sight. WhenSmichwas pointed out as sitting next to Millard,Villadaresponded, "That's not Mark."

Smich'sappearance in court is significantly different from photos of himaround the time of his arrest. In those photos he is skinny,sporting buzz-cut hair and baggy clothes. That's a contrast to theSmichthe jury has seen: clean cut, heavierand with close-cropped, styled hair.

"The MarkSmichthat you knew would wear ahoodieand a sweatshirt,"Sachaksaid, to whichVilladasaidyes.Smichspent an afternoon working forVilladaat one point, court heard, but lasted only a few hours before leaving.

The jury also heard again about hoses that were found at a property Millard owned at Riverside Drive inToronto. Court has heard that the hoses were left running in the back yard for 10 hours at Millard's behest.

The Crown has not presented any theory as to why that was done, or how it relates to the case. Millard's legal team has said Millard wanted to build a deck at the back of the property, and this was done to see how the water would "pond" in the area.

CBC reporter Adam Carteris in the courtroom each day reporting live on the trial. You can view a recap of his livebloghere:

On mobile and can't see the liveblog? View it here.

adam.carter@cbc.ca