Bob Bashara Arraigned on Murder in Wife's Death
Bob Bashara made his first appearance Wednesday afternoon in 36th District Court on charges stemming from his wife's January 2012 strangulation death. He will return to court May 7.
By
Sara Eaton Martin, the author, 2:49 pm
Bob Bashara is arraigned in 36th District Court on murder, conspiracy and more May 1, 2013 stemming from his wife's January 2012 strangulation death. Credit Sara Eaton Martin
A not guilty plea was entered on behalf of Bob Bashara Wednesday in 36th District Court after he was arraigned on six charges related to his wife's strangulation death in January 2012.
Bashara is scheduled to return to court May 7 for a preliminary exam.
He is charged with:
first degree murder
conspiracy to commit first degree murder
solicitation to commit murder
suborning of perjury during a capital trial
witness intimidation
obstruction of justice
If convicted, Bashara faces mandatory life in prison on the first degree murder charge; up to life on each the conspiracy, solicitation and suborning counts; 15 years for witness intimidation; and five years for obstruction of justice.
Bashara requested to delay the preliminary exam date so he could have time to hire an attorney. Judge Laura A. Echartea declined to change the date from May 7, explaining if he has an attorney by then, his attorney can request to change the date.
He then said he had not yet hired one because he is trying to raise the funds to do so. Echartea responded by telling him if he hasn't hired one by then, an attorney will likely be appointed.
The arraignment, during which his charges were read to him, took less than five minutes.
Attorney Mark Kriger, who represented Bashara in his other criminal case related to trying to hire a hitman to kill Joe Gentz,
was present at the hearing but did not address the court. Kriger said he had not been hired to represent Bashara in this case.
The courtroom gallery was filled with police officers, detectives and media.
One Grosse Pointe Park detective, Mike Narduzzi, was present for the hearing Wednesday.
Bashara was escorted into the courtroom with heavy security, including a guard that stood within reach of him at all times. Bashara is currently serving a prison sentence related to his trying to hire a hitman to kill Gentz.
Gentz is also serving a prison sentence after he pleaded guilty in an agreement to testify against anyone the prosecutor's brought charges against in the case.
The investigation into Jane Bashara's death has been on-going since her body was discovered in January 2012. It involves nearly 300 witnesses and spans several states. Charges were announced against Bob Bashara by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy two weeks ago.
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