Bosma trial continues

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An unusual description of Dellen Millard was heard in court today. A man who worked for the accused in the Tim Bosma murder trial for many years called him a nice guy.

Shane Schlatman is a mechanic who took care of the Millard air hangar at Waterloo airport and did odd jobs that included work at Millard’s farm near Cambridge. He also knew the other man accused of first degree murder, Mark Smich. Schlatman told the jury he considered Dellen Millard a friend. He, Millard and another friend did a jeep race in Mexico in 2011 and all got matching tattoos.

Schlatman identified Mark Smich and Dellen Millard, in surveillance footage from the Millard hangar the night Bosma went missing. He testified that he was told to build an incinerator, but it didn’t work. Shortly after he sourced the eliminator incinerator from Georgia and received it when it arrived at the hangar.

Schlatman’s father in law, Arthur Jennings, testified earlier in the trial. He was doing a work co-op at the hangar in May 2013 and took a photo of the black truck that appeared there, sitting on a green tarp with spray paint. He called Crimestoppers with the VIN number and learned it was Tim Bosma’s truck. He then told his family, including Schlatman, before telling police. Schlatman hasn’t spoken to his wife’s father since that time.

Schlatman told the jury he didn’t think his boss was involved. “He’s a rich guy. He doesn’t have to steal a truck. It made no sense to me why he’d steal a truck or hurt someone. He’s a nice guy.”

Schlatman was texting with Millard on Monday May 6, 2013 up until about 8pm, about locking his keys in the hangar. Tim Bosma went missing about an hour after that.

Tuesday May 7, before 6 am, Millard sent this message to Schlatman: “Airport politics. Noone goes to the hangar today. Not even just to grab something.”

Wednesday May 8, before 6 am, Millard asks where he can find the power washer.

Then, Thursday May 9, after Schlatman has spoken with Arthur Jennings about Tim Bosma’s truck, Millard sends this message: “I can’t stop thinking about what that family’s going through.” “I want to take it back, but I’m a little concerned how that’s going to play out.”

Schlatman asks whether Millard has considered telling police he thinks the truck he bought was stolen. Millard says, “hypothetically, if this is the same one, I’m in a lot of jeopardy. What truck?”

Shane Schlatman has not finished his testimony he’ll be back on the stand later, we also expect to hear more about the chain of evidence when court resumes tomorrow.