Prosecutors Provide Glimpse Into Bashara Case

Wayne County Prosecutors gave a glimpse of their case Monday against Bob Bashara, who owned properties in St. Clair Shores, and is charged in connection with the January 2012 strangulation death of his wife.

Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey was seeking in a pre-exam hearing before 36th District Court Judge Kenneth King to introduce evidence into the case that Bashara was planning to "harm someone."

She stated that witnesses will testify that in the months leading up to the murder of Jane Bashara, he was meeting with, and calling, business associates and those in the bondage, discipline, sadomasochism and masochism community to "take care of a woman."

In the months leading up to the murder of Jane Bashara in January 2012, Bob Bashara and handy man Joe Gentz - who is serving 17 to 28 years in prison for the murder of Bashara - there was 472 phone contacts, according to Lindsey. 

Defense attorneys for Bashara argued that the calls do not show a "conspiracy" in planning a murder. Despite an objection from defense attorneys, King allowed the evidence showing Gentz’s state of mind to be admitted, according to The Detroit News. There was also a request to admit statements of a co-conspirator, which King stated would hold the motion in abeyance, according to the article.

Bashara, who was not present at the proceedings and appeared by video, has been arraigned on murder and five other charges related to death of his wife, Jane Bashara. The charges were brought about 15 months after her body was found in the backseat of her SUV in Detroit.

Bashara is currently serving a prison sentence on a second, related case involving his former handyman, Joe Gentz, whom he tried to have killed while in jail to prevent him from testifying.

Bashara will return to court Sept. 9.