Wednesday, April 17 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-04-17 23:26:13 GMT
It has been more than a year since the murder of Grosse Pointe Park businesswoman Jane Bashara. One man is already in prison, and now her husband has been charged with her murder.
It has been more than a year since the murder of Grosse Pointe Park businesswoman Jane Bashara. One man is already in prison, and now her husband has been charged with her murder.
Friday, December 21 2012 5:40 PM EST2012-12-21 22:40:06 GMT
Joseph Gentz pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder in the strangulation of Jane Bashara.
Joseph Gentz pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder in the strangulation of Jane Bashara. The body of the Grosse Pointe Park mother and wife was discovered in her Mercedes SUV, which was abandoned in an alley on Detroit's east side back in January.
Monday, December 10 2012 3:50 PM EST2012-12-10 20:50:28 GMT
Nearly a year after his wife's murder, Bob Bashara was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to trying to have her accused hit man Joseph Gentz killed.
Nearly a year after his wife's murder, Bob Bashara was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to trying to have her accused hit man Joseph Gentz killed. Bashara will spend anywhere from six years and eight months to 20 years behind bars.
Monday, September 17 2012 10:19 AM EDT2012-09-17 14:19:38 GMT
It's now up to a Wayne County Circuit judge to decide whether to lower the bond for Bob Bashara, the Grosse Pointe businessman charged with trying to hire a hitman to kill a former handyman.
It's now up to a Wayne County Circuit judge to decide whether to lower the bond for Bob Bashara, the Grosse Pointe businessman charged with trying to hire a hitman to kill a former handyman.
Monday, September 17 2012 10:17 AM EDT2012-09-17 14:17:58 GMT
A Wayne County Circuit judge has denied a request to lower the bond for Bob Bashara, the Grosse Pointe businessman charged with trying to hire a hitman to kill his former handyman.
A Wayne County Circuit judge has denied a request to lower the bond for Bob Bashara, the Grosse Pointe businessman charged with trying to hire a hitman to kill his former handyman.
Monday, August 13 2012 10:23 AM EDT2012-08-13 14:23:29 GMT
A key hearing has been postponed for a handyman who's charged with strangling a Grosse Pointe Park woman whose husband also has been questioned in her death.
A key hearing has been postponed for a handyman who's charged with strangling a Grosse Pointe Park woman whose husband also has been questioned in her death.
Tuesday, July 24 2012 6:04 PM EDT2012-07-24 22:04:10 GMT
Bob Bashara has been ordered to stand trial in the alleged murder-for-hire scheme involving Joe Gentz, the man charged with killing Bashara's wife.
Bob Bashara has been ordered to stand trial in the alleged murder-for-hire scheme involving Joe Gentz, the man charged with killing Bashara's wife.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
It was at Steve's Furniture and Appliances in Detroit near the border of Grosse Pointe Park where Bob Bashara allegedly ordered a jail house hit on Joe Gentz, the man who claims he killed Jane Bashara and his former boss, Bob, hired him to do it.
"The evidence is going to show that he was set up," said David Griem.
Or was he? We've learned behind the store's walls Bob Bashara sought out the owner, Steve, to come up with a plan to kill Gentz in jail, but Steve went to the authorities. Sources say the two would meet a few times over a two week period this month. Steve would act as the middle man. Bashara would eventually pay him $2,000 to get the job done, someone behind bars to take Gentz out, but what Bashara did not know, he was being recorded.
"This particular charge is going to all revolve around the credibility of the individual who went to Bob Bashara and set him up," Griem said.
Steve the owner told us off camera he isn't ready to comment. He pulled away not ready to talk about his role in this case.
It's vindication for Gentz, according to his attorney, who claims he has feared Bashara all along.
"That was one of the reasons he went to the police because he thought that Bob Bashara was capable of having him killed. He has the finances. He has the wherewithal to do it," said Susan Reed, Gentz's attorney.
Bashara is considered a person of interest in his wife's murder, but it's the solicitation of murder charge that has now landed him behind bars. His bond was set at $15-million after the prosecution argued he's threatened his mother-in-law, his former girlfriend Rachel Gillette and now his own tenants.
"He'd throw their [expletive] out of their apartment complex if they dared to talk to the police and tell them about his involvement with Rachel Gillette, so several witnesses in this case have been contacted by Mr. Bashara and told they are not to cooperate with the police and they felt intimidated by him," assistant prosecutor Lisa Lindsey said at Bashara's arraignment.
"I believe he's an erratic person. I don't believe he's someone that can control his temperament or emotions, and from what I've seen, he may not be a danger to the general population, but he is a danger to my client," Reed said.
"Bob Bashara is innocent. Bob Bashara is going to get his day in court, and we're going to do our very best to see that Bob Bashara walks out of those courtroom doors with us," said Griem.
The prosecution claims Bashara actually went to a second person to have Gentz killed. Reed says she's not aware of that, but that her client is relieved that Bashara is behind bars and at a different jail than him.
Meanwhile, Griem says Bashara won't be able to make that $15-million cash surety bond, so for now he will remain behind bars.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:03:59 GMT
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:58 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:58:47 GMT
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:59:09 GMT
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:01:56 GMT
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:23 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:23:58 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:44:18 GMT
Today at 2 p.m. 100 community leaders, union officials, concerned residents and Northwestern High School Alumni will protest the closure of the high school.
Today at 2 p.m. 100 community leaders, union officials, concerned residents and Northwestern High School Alumni will protest the closure of the high school.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:19 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:19:38 GMT
Police say a 1-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in a water-filled bathtub in Flint. Police are treating the child's death Monday night as suspicious.
Police say a 1-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in a water-filled bathtub in Flint. Police are treating the child's death Monday night as suspicious.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:45:43 GMT
Authorities say a 72-year-old suburban Detroit woman has been arrested after firing a shot from a .38 caliber handgun at her daughter during an argument.
Authorities say a 72-year-old suburban Detroit woman has been arrested after firing a shot from a .38 caliber handgun at her daughter during an argument.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:38 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:38:56 GMT
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.