GUILTY MI - Jane Bashara, 56, dies in contract killing, Grosse Pointe Park, 25 Jan 2012 #3

[Darkman00]

Handyman Joseph Gentz pleads guilty to second-degree murder in Bashara slaying

10:20 AM, December 21, 2012

Handyman Joseph Gentz has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a 17- to 28-year sentence.

In exchange, he agrees to cooperate with prosecutors, testifying he killed Jane Bashara because he was paid and threatened by her husband, Bob Bashara. His official sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2013.

"I killed Jane Bashara because Bob Bashara offered me money and threatened me," Gentz read to the judge from a statement. He also told the judge that he gave another statement to investigators on Thursday about the killing.

"You're pleading guilty to murder in the second-degree; do you understand that?" Evans asked him.

"Yes, ma'am," replied Gentz, wearing the tan suit he's worn to most court appearances. Judge Vonda Evans is also handling today the sentencing of four men convicted of kidnapping and murdering Hamtramck best friends Ashley Conaway and Abreeya Brown.

Source: http://www.freep.com/article/201212...cause-Bashara-offered-me-money-threatened-me-

 

[Darkman00]

Gentz pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder of Jane Bashara

Posted: 12/21/12, 10:53 am

http://www.dailytribune.com/article...s-guilty-to-2nd-degree-murder-of-jane-bashara

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Gentz pleas guilty

Posted: Dec 21, 2012 9:50 AM CST Updated: Dec 21, 2012 9:50 AM CST

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/20402606/gentz-pleas-guilty

 

[Darkman00]

Joe Gentz, pleads guilty to Jane Bashara murder

Gentz takes plea of 2nd degree murder for killing of Grosse Pointe Park mother Jane Bashara

Published On: Dec 14 2012 11:32:00 AM EST Updated On: Dec 21 2012 10:32:58 AM EST

DETROIT - The man who confessed to police he was hired to kill Grosse Pointe Park mother was in court Friday.

He pleaded guilty to 2nd degree murder for the killing of Jane Bashara.

Judge Voland Evens told Gentz he could face life in prison with his plea.

But, she said she would likely sentence him to no less than 17 years and a maximum of 28 years in prison.

The official sentencing for Gentz will be on January 29th.

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Read more at the Source: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...rder/-/1719418/17777172/-/d9j0h8/-/index.html

 

[Darkman00]

Handyman Joe Gentz Pleads Guilty, Says Bob Bashara 'Promised Me Money'

December 21st, 2012, 10:45 AM

http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/arti...ads_guilty_says_bob_bashara_promised_me_money

 

[Darkman00]

December 21, 2012 at 10:45 am

Handyman pleads guilty to second-degree murder in Jane Bashara killing

By Christine Ferretti
The Detroit News

Detroit — Former handyman Joseph Gentz pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder charges in the strangulation death of Grosse Pointe Park marketing executive Jane Bashara.

Gentz entered the plea during a special pretrial hearing before Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda R. Evans.

Evans told Gentz he'll face 17 to 28 years in prison, under the plea agreement. He'll be sentenced Jan. 29.

"Bob Bashara offered me money to kill his wife," Gentz told Evans. "He threatened he would kill me if I didn't kill his wife."

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Read more from The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121221/METRO01/212210387

 

[Darkman00]

Joe Gentz Pleads Guilty In Murder Of Jane Bashara

December 21, 2012 11:09 AM

DETROIT (WWJ) – Handyman Joseph Gentz had pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the death of Grosse Pointe mother and marketing executive Jane Bashara.

Gentz will be sentenced January 29 to a minimum of 17 years and a maximum of 28 years in prison.

In a statement read by his attorney in court Friday, Gentz said the victim’s husband, Bob Bashara, said he must kill Jane Bashara or Gentz himself would be harmed. Gentz said he felt threatened enough to carry out the crime.

In a deal with prosecutors, Gentz said he’d offered the guilty plea in exchange for his testimony in any upcoming trial related to this case. If Gentz had been convicted of first degree murder as charged he would have spent life in prison.

Read more: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/21/joe-gentz-pleads-guilty-in-murder-of-jane-bashara/

 

[Darkman00]

Joe Gentz Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder in Death of Jane Bashara

The handyman told the court that Bob Bashara, Jane Bashara's husband, promised him money and threatened him, according to WXYZ and the Detroit Free Press.

By John Hetzler, the author, 11:06 am

... Maria Miller, a spokesperson for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, said the investigation into Jane Bashara's death is still open.

"The Jane Bashara homicide case remains under investigation," Miller said in an email. "No other charges are expected at this time."

Gentz’s plea is the latest in a case that has stunned the Grosse Pointe community.

Bob Bashara pleaded guilty to solicitation of murder in October, telling the court he tried to hire a hitman to kill Gentz. He was sentenced to 6-20 years in prison on Dec. 10.

Read more: http://grossepointe.patch.com/artic...second-degree-murder-in-death-of-jane-bashara

 

[michmi]

So 17 years minimum .. It means i guess, Gentz won't be able to get out earlier than that? .. for good behavior etc

Yup. No "good time" earned.

I sure hope they're careful about where BB and Gentz are placed over the next however many years. Bob doesn't seem like one to ever give up a grudge.

 

[Darkman00]

... Maria Miller, a spokesperson for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, said the investigation into Jane Bashara's death is still open.

"The Jane Bashara homicide case remains under investigation," Miller said in an email. "No other charges are expected at this time."

Read more: http://grossepointe.patch.com/artic...second-degree-murder-in-death-of-jane-bashara

I wonder if that "email" from Miller is from before ... and, who knows basically, maybe murder charges against BB can still come by the end of the year.

But .. with holidays and all, AGAIN -- Who knows....

Maybe more realistic to expect those new charges after Gentz is officially sentenced (after Jan. 29, 2013 that is).

Like, maybe, they figured .. what's the rush ... let's keep 'em (BB, his attorney etc) in suspence .. BB is not going anywhere anyhow

I guess we'll see......

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I heard this report on WWJ radio shortly after 11:00 but waited for the link for the Prosecutor's statement:

...Last week, Assistant prosecutor Robert Moran told reporters Bob Bashara wanted to kill someone who is a potential witness against him. But, in a statement Friday, Assistant Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said, in a Jane Bashara homicide case remains under investigation, no other charges are expected at this time...

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/21/joe-gentz-pleads-guilty-in-murder-of-jane-bashara/

I hope that Bashara is eventually charged in his wife's murder lease:

Thanks to all who have continued to follow this case on WS. I gave up because there were too many details to sort through and other cases of local and/or national interest simultaneously. I tossed in the towel on the Kwame Kilpatrick corruption trial, too. I don't think that marathon will ever end!

Have a safe and happy holiday.

 

[Darkman00]

Joe Gentz, pleads guilty to Jane Bashara murder

Gentz takes plea of 2nd degree murder for killing of Grosse Pointe Park mother Jane Bashara

Published On: Dec 14 2012 11:32:00 AM EST Updated On: Dec 21 2012 10:32:58 AM EST

DETROIT - The man who confessed to police he was hired to kill Grosse Pointe Park mother was in court Friday.

He pleaded guilty to 2nd degree murder for the killing of Jane Bashara.

Judge Voland Evens told Gentz he could face life in prison with his plea.

But, she said she would likely sentence him to no less than 17 years and a maximum of 28 years in prison.

The official sentencing for Gentz will be on January 29th.

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Read more at the Source: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...rder/-/1719418/17777172/-/d9j0h8/-/index.html

from the same Source: (above)

Watch Uncut: Gentz pleads guilty to murder.

 

[Darkman00]

'Bob Bashara offered me money to kill his wife,' handyman Gentz tells court in plea deal

1:02 PM, December 21, 2012

By Elisha Anderson, Detroit Free Press staff

Wearing a tan suit and black-rimmed glasses, Joseph Gentz stood before a judge today and read from a statement in a Detroit courtroom.

“Bob Bashara offered me money to kill his wife,” Gentz told Wayne Circuit Court Judge Vonda Evans.

Gentz, a handyman who said he killed Grosse Pointe Park mother and wife Jane Bashara, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed to a sentence of 17-28 years in prison. It comes with the condition that he testifies truthfully in any proceedings, prosecutors said.

During the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes, Gentz said he killed Jane Bashara because her husband, Bob Bashara, promised him money and threatened to kill him.

Those are your words,” Evans asked.

“Yes ma’am” Gentz replied.

Susan Reed, Gentz’s attorney, said he was very nervous before going to court today, almost to the point of being ill.

“I think it was in my client’s best interest to take this agreement,” Reed told reporters after the hearing.

♦◊♦

Reed said she expects her client to testify against Bob Bashara, Jane’s wife, if it gets to that point.

♦◊♦

Mark Kriger, Bashara’s attorney, declined comment today.

“I do not feel that it appropriate to comment about cases in the media,” he told the Free Press. “If charges are brought against Mr. Bashara, my comments will be made in the appropriate form, which is the courtroom.”

Prosecutors declined to comment on what the plea could mean for Bob Bashara.

“The Jane Bashara homicide case remains under investigation,” Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Maria Miller said in a statement. “No other charges are expected at this time.”

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/201212...his-wife-handyman-Gentz-tells-court-plea-deal​

 

[Darkman00]

Gentz pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder of Jane Bashara

By Jameson Cook, [email protected]; @jamesoncook

Posted: 12/21/12 01:16 pm

... Joseph Gentz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Friday in the slaying of Jane Bashara in exchange for spending 17 to 28 years in prison. His sentencing will be Jan. 29 ...

Read more: http://www.dailytribune.com/article...s-guilty-to-2nd-degree-murder-of-jane-bashara
​

 

[Darkman00]

Detroit
December 21, 2012

Gentz pleads guilty to second-degree murder in death of Jane Bashara

Deal calls for him to testify truthfully in court if called up, raising speculation about possible new charges against Robert Bashara

By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer
...

“The people have reached an agreement and are ready to proceed,” said Lisa Lindsey, one of the attorneys with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, when asked by Evans about the deal.

Explaining the charge Gentz was facing and the legal rights he was giving up, Evans said Gentz could be sentenced for up to life in prison for second-degree murder, but she assured him that wasn’t the maximum sentence he’d actually be facing. She also told him that he would have to follow the agreement for special consideration, as well, which called on Gentz to give the same answers to the same questions if he was asked those questions again.

Indicating that he understood his rights, Gentz responded, “Yes, ma’am” to Evans throughout the proceedings. After having been the target of a murder plot, Gentz admitted to the judge that he remained a little bit scared.

After swearing in court to tell the truth, Gentz made a brief statement admitting his role in Jane Bashara’s murder.

“Bob Bashara offered me money to kill his wife,” he said. “He threatened me if I did not kill her. I killed Jane Bashara because Bob Bashara promised me money and threatened to kill me. This happened in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, (on) Jan. 24, 2012.”

...

Reed said this is the strangest case she’s ever worked on.

“It has everything in it,” she said. “I’ve been doing this 30 years and I’ve never seen a case like this.”

At press time, Gentz was slated to learn his sentence Jan. 29 in 3rd Circuit Court in front of Evans. A time had not yet been set.

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Read (much) more at the Source: http://www.candgnews.com/news/gentz-pleads-guilty-second-degree-murder-death-jane-bashara

 

[Darkman00]

Joe Gentz takes plea deal; Guilty in murder of Grosse Pointe Park mom Jane Bashara

Posted: 10:30 AM
Last Updated: 44 minutes ago

---- Video added at the Source (1:39) ----

Read more: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region...murder-of-grosse-pointe-park-mom-jane-bashara

 

[Darkman00]

What's next for Bob Bashara after handyman's plea deal?

Grosse Pointe Park man likely to be charged with wife's murder after suspect takes plea deal

Published On: Dec 21 2012 04:43:54 PM EST Updated On: Dec 21 2012 05:36:43 PM EST

---- TEXT & VIDEO (1:54) ----

DETROIT - Joe Gentz pleaded guilty Friday to 2nd degree murder in connection with the death of Grosse Pointe Park mother and wife Jane Bashara.

With black-rimmed glasses Gentz, with his attorney by his side, read from a statement he had prepared.

"Bob Bashara offered money to kill his wife and he threatened me," Gentz read.

Gentz told Judge Vonda Evans that Bob Bashara had threatened him to kill his wife and later paid him to do it. Jane Bashara was found strangled to death in her sports utility vehicle Jan. 24 in Detroit.

"You're also giving up the right to be presumed innocent. You understand that? Unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. You understand that?" said Evans.

In exchange for Friday's plea deal, Gentz agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in their case against Bob Bashara. Bob Bashara has not been charged in connection with his wife's murder. However, early on in the investigation police had called Bob a suspect.

"You can pretty much bet the farm that (Bob Bashara) is going to be charged with murder in this case. He is going to be, realistically, be charged after the sentencing. They don't want anything to fall through on the plea. So, some time in February you can expect for him to be charged with murder," said Local 4 legal expert Todd Flood.

Jane Bashara was found dead in the back of her sports utility vehicle Jan. 24, 2012. It was parked in a Detroit alley. However, police believe she was killed at her Grosse Pointe Park home and someone drove her vehicle with her body inside to Detroit.

Source: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...eal/-/1719314/17869718/-/am0flqz/-/index.html

 

[Darkman00]

December 22, 2012 at 1:00 am

Handyman pleads guilty in Bashara murder case

Gentz: Her husband used threats, offered money to kill wife

By Christine Ferretti, The Detroit News

Read at the Source from The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...ro/Handyman-pleads-guilty-Bashara-murder-case
​

 

[Darkman00]

Joseph Gentz's guilty plea in Jane Bashara's death could lead to charges for husband

December 22, 2012

By Elisha Anderson
Detroit Free Press Staff

Joseph Gentz makes his way from court after pleading guilty Friday at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 29 to 17-28 years in prison. (ANDRE J. JACKSON / Detroit Free Press)​

Legal experts said Friday that charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder could be forthcoming for Bashara.

"Assuming the prosecution finds (Gentz's) statement to be credible ... one would expect that this is all in anticipation of going after Mr. Bashara," said University of Michigan law professor David Moran.

U-M law professor Len Niehoff said that if prosecutors want to build a case against Bashara, this is an important step.


Challenges ahead

Susan Reed, Gentz's attorney, said she thinks agreeing to the plea was in the best interest of her client and said Gentz is ready to testify against Bob Bashara -- who he claims threatened to kill him -- if the case gets to that point.

Prior to Friday's hearing, Gentz made a statement under oath that was sealed, Reed said. Gentz referenced the statement -- made Thursday -- in court on Friday saying that it was true. No details about what he said were released.

Reed said she believes Bashara took advantage of her client and that Gentz is remorseful for his actions.

"He thinks that he has to pay for what he did," she said. "And he thinks that everyone involved should pay for what they did in this case."

Gentz, who court records show has a below-average IQ, was initially charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy.

The conspiracy charge has been dropped, Reed said.

If charges are filed against Bashara, the plea presents some challenges for the prosecution, according to legal experts.

"The problem is, you have to rely on the word of a convicted murderer," Moran said.

Adding to it is that Gentz is, arguably, mentally impaired, he said. Moran noted that a defense attorney will point out that Gentz was given a favorable plea deal in exchange for giving testimony that the prosecution wants.

Gentz's credibility will be challenged, and a jury will have to decide whether they believe him, said Richard Krisciunas, a University of Detroit Mercy law professor and a former Wayne County assistant prosecutor.

But Gentz will gain credibility because he went to police early on, he said.

"How many defendants have you heard where they walked into the police station and said, 'I want to confess to first-degree murder'?" Krisciunas said. "It's extremely rare that it happens."

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Read (much) more at the Source: http://www.freep.com/article/20121222/NEWS02/312220118

 

[Darkman00]

Joe Gentz takes plea deal; Guilty in murder of Grosse Pointe Park mom Jane Bashara

Posted: 10:30 AM
Last Updated: 44 minutes ago

---- Video added at the Source (1:39) ----

Read more: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region...murder-of-grosse-pointe-park-mom-jane-bashara

2 more Videos were added at the same Source now (for the total of 3 Videos).

The 2nd Video at the Source is pretty good: (this one)

Examining Gentz's plea (3:21) with Legal Analyst, Tom Cranmer

Watch at the Source: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region...murder-of-grosse-pointe-park-mom-jane-bashara
​

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Unfortunately for Bob Bashara, the fact he put a hit out on Gentz works in favor of Gentz' credibility!