GUILTY MI - Jane Bashara, 56, dies in contract killing, Grosse Pointe Park, 25 Jan 2012 #5

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

REPORTER Jameson Cook ‏@JamesonCook
Bob Bashara walks into court for his murder trial today wearing sunglasses due to having eye surgery yesterday.
GP Park cop testifies he put Joe Gentz in protective custody 3 am Jan. 31 after Gentz came to police station saying he feared for his life

REPORTER Hank Winchester ‏@HankLocal4
Bob Bashara is wearing shades. He had some eye surgery over wknd. Waiting on next witness
Frances Natalie met Joe Gentz on http://single.com . She's talking about a lunch they shared at a Coney Island.

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
GEORGE HUNTER - DETROIT NEWS REPORTER - ‏@GeorgeHunter_DN

Francis Natale, Gentz's friend who has been in jail because she didn't answer a subpoena, is the next witness.
She said she met Gentz on http://single.com. Natale is accompanied by her attorney, Kareem Johnson.
"I met him on the single line." He said they didn't date, though.
Frances met Greg Baracco through Gentz, and eventually began dating him.
So Gentz met Frances on the date line; he introduced her to Greg Baracco, and then Baracco started dating Frances

On Jan. 30, Gentz went to Macomb County court for a hearing about his daughter. He then asked Frances to meet him at the GPP police station
Frances went to the front desk and asked about Gentz. "I didn't understand why he was there; I told them he has to be in court on time."
Gentz went out and went with Frances to Mt. Clemens for his court appearance re: his daughter.
They ate at a Coney island. "He was in fear he wasn't going to get his child; Foster care was taking care of his daughter."

On Jan. 30, Natale drove Gentz home from a McDonald's.
He came back with "clothing, suits, bag," she said. Then a cop car drove by. "Mr. Gentz was nervous when the police car went by."
Frances Natalie is going over previous statements she told prosecutors because she now can't recall various things
Asst. Prosecutor Moran trying to ask Natalie when Gentz said when he saw the police car, but defense objecting.
Natalie's not allowed to say what Gentz said when he saw the cop car, but she says he looked at the car, and appeared upset.
Natale says Gentz said: "Why are they following?" re: cop car

Frances Natale is taking another several minutes to go over previous statements.
She wasn't sure what she'd told prosecutors about the bag Gentz brought to her car. It was a black duffel bag
Gentz asked Natale to stop at a Shell gas station. He took the duffle bag out, went into the station, and came back without the bag.

Not getting very far in this testimony. It's taken about 20 minutes for Natale to answer 2-3 questions.

When Gentz left the Shell station, he mentioned something about boots. Natale didn't say what, though.
Natale: “He said he got a job…I asked doing what. He said $6,000. He didn’t mention his boss’s name. It was a big secret.”
Gentz talked about his mysterious job in December, 2011 -- a month before the murder.
When she asked Gentz what his boss's name was, he said, "It's a secret, and he's out of town a lot."
Gentz did mention Bob Bashara to Frances. It was about a gas/electric bill at a house Gentz was renting.

Under cross-exam, Lillian Diallo asked: "Boss vs. Friend - would you agree that's a different designation?"
Natale didn't understand...Judge told Diallo to use "language laypeople will understand."
Frances Natale is once again reviewing her previous statement.

There have been a lot of questions for this witness, and a lot of time spent poring over previous testimony, but not a lot of info gleaned
And, yet again, Frances is reading her previous statements to police/prosecutors because she can't remember.
A few days after the murder, Gentz told Natale: "Someone got hurt...it was on the TV and on the news."
Diallo read Natale's previous testimony that Gentz told her in Dec. 2011 that he had a chance to make $6k and a car. She can't recall now
Judge said if Diallo asks a certain question, "That's cool" then added, "I mean that's ok." Everyone chuckled

With almost every question, the witness's previous statements have to be read back to her. This is like swimming in quicksand.
After a difficult hour and 15 minutes, Frances Natale is finally done testifying.
She's now free to go; she's been in jail since Oct. 20

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
MARIE OSBORNE - WWJ NEWS REPORTER - ‏@marieosbornewwj

Next witness Francis Natale. Met Joe Gentz w/on line dating service@WWJ950
Natale testifies Gentz told her in Dec.2011 he got a new job. He would be paid 6K.
Said the bosses name was a "secret"
Cross exam of Natale begins.
This testimony has been a slow go, she has trouble remembering

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
ELISHA ANDERSON - REPORTER ‏@elishaanderson

Witness 39: Frances Natale, 54. She met Joseph Gentz on an online dating service in 2011.
Natale testified that she gave Gentz a ride (Not sure date in Jan) and he got in her car with a black duffel bag and suit.
Gentz asked her to stop at a gas station, took his bag out of the car and came back with no bag, Natale testified.
“Why did you go out there,” Natale said she asked Gentz. (it was Jan. 30th). His response, which would be hearsay, hasn't come out in court.
In Dec. 2011, Gentz talked to her about a job. He said he would make around $6,000 and a car. He didn't mentioned his boss' name she said.
"It's a secret and he's out of town a lot," is what Gentz said about his boss, Natale testified.
Natale testified she heard Bob Bashara's name during a conversation about Gentz's gas & electric bill. It wasn't in Gentz's name, she said.

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
AMY LANGE - ‏FOX2 NEWS REPORTER

Bob here in court - says he had eye surgery yesterday - he is wearing sunglasses due to sensitivity to light.
Judge Vonda - "listen you keep those glasses on as long as you want to keep those glasses on"

Lt James Hoshaw - with GPP police is first to take the stand.
He is a supervisor in the patrol division - platoon commander on the night shift January 24th, 2012.
He received a transmission at 2:30 in the morning from the dispatcher
Backing up - this was not the night of the 24th....This was a week later as the investigation was going on
He received information via the phone call about the investigation and went to the station.
He met with Officer Eric Davis at the station - he gave him information that three individuals
Hoshaw went into the lobby and met with two white men in their 50's
Two white men in their Fritch and Virgona are the two men in the lobby.
They gave him information about Joseph Gentz. Gentz was not in the lobby at the time
Hoshaw was trying to get more information about why they were there and why they were bringing Gentz to the station, so Hoshaw asked to speak with Gentz directly - he was outside smoking a cigarette
Gentz was summoned into the police lobby. Hoshaw introduced himself. They shook hands
Lt. asked Gentz if it was his desire to turn himself in and he said yes. He said he feared for his life.
Gentz was placed in protective custody - he did not say who he was afraid of
Lt saw his height and weight - 6'4" large man - 225 - 235 pounds - big man - very large.
Lt. saw his face - he had a scratch on the side of his face
So Gentz was not placed under arrest. He was placed in protective custody because he said he feared for his life.
He was not being held at that time. Lt. notified Captain Loch - it was about 3am

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
AMY LANGE - ‏FOX2 NEWS REPORTER

Michael McCarthy on cross
Lt. says when he was talking to Virgona and Fritch they were vague - as though they couldn't really repeat what Gentz had told them
Once he (Gentz) was in protective custody - into lockup - he was actually locked in a cell - he could not come and go as he pleased.
Lt. is excused

We are briefly in recess - 15 minute break - sounds like they would like to get Frances Natale on the stand but they are trying to find her attorney.
Natale is the woman who has been locked up for a few weeks for ignoring her subpoena in the case. She drove Gentz the night of the 24th.

Judge says once we get back from this break we will be rolling along (current time10:02am)

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
AMY LANGE - ‏FOX2 NEWS REPORTER

10:31am.... We are back- next witness is Frances Natale - her attorney Kareem Johnson (sp?) is also here.
They have been advised of the proposed testimony she is giving and he will be advising her

Frances Natale is 54 years old and knows Joseph Gentz - they met on a single.com in 2011- a dating service
They became friends - they did not date
She also knows Gregg Baracco who was a friend of Joe's. She and Baracco became boyfriend girlfriend (his testimony was read into the record last week)

Rob Moran asking her about January 2012 - on January 30th - did you have contact with Joe Gentz?
It was the morning hour - she called him that morning - he was going to court in regards to his daughter in Macomb County.
He asked her to meet him at GP police station. She went there - to the station on Jefferson.
She did not see Gentz there but she spoke to someone at the front desk.
She told them at the front desk that he needed to go to Macomb County. She said he needs to be at court on time - he can't be late
Gentz came out of GPP police station and they went to Mt. Clemens together to the courthouse
Frances waited in the car for him - he came back and they left and went to the Coney Island at 11 and 696 - they went inside and ate.

Once in the Coney Island - Gentz was very emotional - he was losing custody of his child who was in foster care
She says he was very emotional - they just talked about custody and who was going to get custody - etc.
They were are the Coney Island about an hour - she can't remember if she left with him. She says she thinks she went over to Barraco's
That evening she goes to McDonald's - Mr. Barraco had received a call from Joe Gentz. He was at McDonald's at 11mile and 696.
She went to the McDonald's - but she can't remember who she went with - she seems slightly confused
Pros Rob Moran is showing her transcript of prior testimony - Frances Natale's attorney is now reviewing it with her

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
AMY LANGE - ‏FOX2 NEWS REPORTER

(so quick aside - it appears that Frances Natale drove him the night of January 30th not January 24th as we had previously thought but we should be getting more information shortly)

March 2012 Transcript says - 'apparently I took Greg with me to get his vehicle that was left at 11 mile and 696'
She now remembers that Barraco went with her to the McDonald's.
At McDonald's - Joe gets into her car - she took him to his address on Wayburn in GPP
She drove him to his house - she waited in the car - he went through the alley
He is gone for some time and then comes back with clothing, suits, bag.
Did anything unusual happen with a police car?
A car came down his street
He appeared to be upset seeing the police car. Mr. Gentz was nervous a police car went by - his case was in Mt. Clemens
Now showing her the transcript again with her attorney reviewing
Moran asking Natale - "when you're near Joe's house, did you see a police car? Did Joe have a reaction to that?"
Joe reacted when he saw the police car - he was looking around and mentioning it

(the attorneys keep arguing about whether or not she can share what Joe said)

She says a police car was on the left side of the road - he made a comment - why are we being followed - why are they up front - he appeared nervous.
He said why are they following - I don't know why they're following here
Joe comes back to the car with suits, bag. It was a duffel bag
He gets in the car and has a suit with him - nobody else is in the car - they left his house on Wayburn to go to 94
Why? To go down 94 to where he wanted to go - maybe a guy named Steve lived there. (Steve Virgona)
Frances gets off the freeway - he asks her to stop at the Shell - he got out for four or five minutes -he was smoking a cigarette.
He came back with no bag
When he had gotten out of the car he took the duffel bag with him. He was gone for four or five minutes.
Frances thought he was having a cigarette
He comes back to the car - does he still have the duffel bag? No.
She thought she saw a blue container - like a Goodwill container where you put donations
Moran - so he gets back in the car without the bag.
She asks - why did you go out there?
He responded.
She asked more questions.
Did the subject of his boots come up?
Yes as we went down the road he brought it up
They went to the house he wanted to go to and he got out of the car.
She assumed he got someone else to take him to court the next day for his daughter.
She had noticed that morning that he had been scratched or smacked across his face down to his neck
She asked about the injury - she is not able to say what he said because it's considered hearsay

Moran is taking her back to 2011 - asking if Gentz every talked to her about a special job.
He gets reprimanded for leading the witness
In December 2011, he talked about a different job than what he normally talked about.
He said he got a job - she asked doing what?
He said making good money - $6,000 - he didn't mention his boss's name - it was a big secret
He also said he was going to get a car.
This job would pay $6,000 and a car - this was December 2011 - he didn't say what the job was
Did he say anything about his boss?
No name - secret - Joe said it's a secret and he's out of town a lot
His boss was out of town in December. Judge again tells Moran to please stop leading

Did you ever hear the name Bob or Bob Bashara?
Yes - that year - in 2011
She thinks it was in December - she heard the name because of the gas and electric bill in the house where Gentz was living
Did Gentz say anything about the apartment?
that's where he'll be living.
They had a conversation about gas and electric bill to see who it was under.
Gas and electric was not in Joe Gentz's name.

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
AMY LANGE - ‏FOX2 NEWS REPORTER

Now referring to the transcript once again.
Transcript - I never knew what kind of work he was doing
Lillian Diallo on cross. Can we agree there's a difference between a boss and a friend?
Yes
Diallo - you've been down to the prosecutor's office how many times to make statements?
once
And they've been out to you how many times?
When?
2012 there was another statement
2/28/2012 - is the statement Lillian Diallo is now referring to - it was taken at GPP by Investigator Matouk from the Wayne Co Prosecutor's office
Diallo - you were asked - were you with Joe Gentz January 24th 2012
She says no she wasn't with him but picked him up January 30th
Diallo - around January 30th - had you seen Mr. Virgona and Gentz together
She says several people in a white van apparently at the McDonald's
Diallo - do you know who JJ is? No
Do you know who Mr. McKee is? No
Did you see Joe around other people? Yes - different people

At the Coney at 11 mile and Gratiot - it's Frances and Gentz.
Gentz mentions nothing about Bashara - he's upset - he has a scratch and bruising on his face - correct? Yes.
They talked about child custody. Earlier in the morning she had inquired about the scratch on his face,
Just to clarify - she had been with him twice on the same day.
In the morning she picked him up at the GPP police station and took him to court then went to the Coney Island with him.
Later she picked him up at McDonald's - took him to his house, a gas station and then what's believed to be Steve Virgona's house.
Not clear why Barraco's car was at that McDonald's where Joe Gentz was and needed a ride.
At any point did you drive Gentz to a lawyer in Mt. Clemens? No.
She says she drove him to the courthouse and he said he was going to talk to a lawyer

When you spoke with Mr. Gentz at Coney at 11 mile and 696 he indicates that someone got hurt?
Frances indicates he said that that morning at the police station
Diallo showing her a transcript
So you and Mr. Gentz went to a Coney Island?
Yes - I questioned him - I said what is going on with your court case and why would they come to the police station.
He said my lawyer is still going to see me.
They think I did something
Did what?
And he says - it's about going to court tomorrow but someone got hurt.
She says - your face got hurt.
He says other people might know because it was on the TV and the news
Frances goes to Barraco's house after the Coney Island. Barraco is there. Mr. Gentz is no longer with her. She does not know where he went.

Diallo says - at that time you had just bought a vehicle for $6,000...
Frances says it was more than that - 21% interest - she didn't know
Diallo now referring to the transcript of the investigative subpoena.
Joe told her he was getting a big job for $6,000 and a car.
Frances said - Why would you say $6,000 and what kind of job is this because that's what I bought my car for
That's according to the transcript - but Frances insists that her car cost a lot more
Objections - the judge tells her to stay out of that area of inquiry. Judge tells her to stay away from perjury.
Diallo says she's trying not to be harsh.


Back to McDonald's - where Greg Barraco's car is parked.
Remember the following questions and answers?
You go back to McDonald's where Greg's car was. Yes
and Joe was there? Yes
and Joe gets in the car with you? yes
Diallo - did you see a van full of people before Joe got in the car with you? Yes
Did you see Joe over at that van talking to them? Yes
Did it strike you as odd that you would have to drive him if he buddy was there?
Frances saw him near the van talking to the people inside and outside the van when she was there at the McDonald's.
Diallo refers to transcript:
Does Joe get in the car with you? yes
What happens? Someone in between I see the guy Steve in the van and other friends and I was wondering why they didn't give him a ride to where he had to go but that's okay - I gave him his ride.

Back to the friend vs. boss issue:
Did he say who the friend was? Ya that day he did
In transcript, Frances says something about Joe's utilities and his friend Bob getting that for him.

Diallo says - friend vs. boss. Frances says they're two different things
Moran on redirect
When Frances asked Joe about his scratch when she picked him up at the police station the morning of the 30th - she says he said someone got hurt
Diallo refers to the transcript again where Frances says she never really knew what kind of work Joe was doing because he had different jobs, restaurant etc.

Transcript:
Did Joe tell her why he was at the police station?
He told me someone got hurt. He had a scratch on his face and I thought it was something about his daughter.
Lillian Diallo with a few more questions - referring to transcript:
Where you with him January 24th 2012. I don't think I was with him on January 24th.
I know I was with him on the 30th. I drove him to his lawyer's office in Mt. Clemens. We went to the Coney Island.
Did Joe tell you why he was at the police station? Frances says these were different conversations.
Diallo - and in all these different conversations - he never mentioned Bob Bashara. No
Thank you
Frances is excused and she can now be released from custody - remember she was being held to insure her testimony

 

[Woe.be.gone]

Wednesday, November 5, 2014, Four witnesses took the stand plus the testimony from another (absent) was read to the court.

First, 32nd witness, Joy Jolly, a family friend of the Basharas.

Second, 33rd witness, Lorna Beth Riikonen, ex-wife of Jim Wilson who was bb's golf and drug buddy. LBR also knows Joe Gentz.

Third, 34th witness, Terry Hayes, Public Safety Officer with the Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety.

Gregory Barraco*, a friend of Joe Gentz, was supposed to testify today. He is hospitalized so his testimony, from an earlier hearing, was read in court by Josh Holman.

Fourth, 35th witness, Kathy Young, a Real Estate Agent from Johnstone and Johnstone Realtors who showed houses to bb and RG.


*GB's prior testimony was read to jurors. Therefore, he counts as a witness. That makes 36 witnesses so far.


http://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...4/11/05/robert-bashara-murder-trial/18526773/

http://live.freep.com/Event/Live_blog_Bob_Bashara_murder_trial_continues_2?Page=9

bumping ~ asking if Barraco counts as a witness?

My number count for witnesses doesn't match the reporter's because I counted Barraco.

 

[Woe.be.gone]

Tuesday, November 11, 2014, the fourteenth day of testimony, three witnesses took the stand.

First, 38th witness, Therese Giffin, a potential lifestyle partner of bb and RG's.

Second, 39th witness, Lt. James Hoshaw, Grosse Pointe Park Police Department Night Supervisor, January 30-31, 2012.

Third, 40th witness overall, Francis Natale , a friend of Joe Gentz. She claims they met on an online dating service, but she didn't date him.

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2014/11/11/bashara-trial/18852279/

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/bashara-trial-ex-slave-gentz-friend-testify/29663822

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
GEORGE HUNTER - DETROIT NEWS REPORTER - ‏@GeorgeHunter_DN

Next witness: Therese Giffin, AKA Obedient Slave, who met Bob on http://alt.com.
She's been granted immunity for her testimony.
Giffin is a former Chicago Police officer. She said she gave false info to police because of “embarrassment.”
Therese Giffin aka "Obedient Slave"
Bob asked her to write a letter vouching for his character.
He asked her to refrain from discussing how they met, on http://alt.com.
Giffin wrote that Bob was “A gentle and caring person with an enormous heart. Bob in my opinion is a dedicated family man.”

So the woman who met Bob on the kinky website as he was cheating on his wife wrote a letter about what a great family man he was!!

More of Giffin's letter: “Bob... is incapable of hurting anyone. The information being...reported by the media is very biased."
Lisa Lindsey: "Were some of the things in that letter not true?" Giffin: "Correct."
After Bob was named a person of interest, he asked her to not talk about how they met.
Bob contacted Giffin on http://alt.com. He wanted "A third person...to join him and his slave."
If she was to become the third person, "I had to become friends with Rachel."
Master Bob told her "to read her blogs and get to know her."
Master Bob's conditions: "He wanted a 3rd to join them, but they had to have no small children."

When Bob met Giffin in 2010, he told her he was divorced.
Giffin at first denied ever going to Bob's dungeon. She now says she lied because Bob asked her to lie.
Lindsey: "Was there use of a strap-on involved?" Giffin paused. "I'm trying to replay it in my mind." Then, she said, "No strap-on." But...
But now she's reading a previous statement to law enforcement. "Sorry, I'm just nervous," she said.
Giffin: "At one point he tied me to a cross and flogged me"
Judge asked what kind of cross it was, and she said, "it's like a big X. I sat on a chair and he used a vibrator.”
Bob also used “nipple clamps.”
Judge: "Getting back to the nipple clamps...is it like little wooden clothes pins?"

Bob told her after the murder that he shut the dungeon down, took everything out and told her to keep quiet about it.
Bob told her re: police and prosecutors "not to cooperate; that you guys are playing dirty."
Bob also told her to get a lawyer, and "to be careful."
Bob didn't want Giffin to join him and Rachel because she had a young son at home, she said.

Giffin said she was friends with Bob until Detroit Police confiscated her computer, and her lawyer advised her to cut ties w Bob
After Jane died, Giffin said she had more contact with Bob. "Rachel was turning her back on him at that point."

In December, 2011: "He was looking for Miss Oregon." That would be Janet Leehmann.
In his written correspondence, Master Bob as always refers to himself in capital letters, and his slaves in lowercase.
Bob asked Giffin to help him get back with Rachel.

After Jane died, Giffin noticed that Bob's profile on http://alt.com was deleted
Giffin said after Jane was killed, 80 percent of his conversations were about Rachel, and only 20 percent about his wife and kids.
Bob said he was concerned about the Hinky Meter website. He said he thought the police were monitoring that site.
Bob asked Giffin to posts on that website, "making Jane not look so good...that she could've possibly had a boyfriend, and he (killed her)"
Giffin said" "It would make (police) look in another direction and not at him."

Giffin, a Chicago cop for 10 years, said she wasn't thinking when she posted on that site.
Judge asked Giffin why she lied for Bob after being rejected.
Giffin: "I truly believed that he was innocent, and I thought I was helping him."
Giffin: "He was going to make me his slave...when he cleared his name."
Giffin put things about Jane on the Hinky Meter, and complained to Bob that the moderator immediately took those posts down

Judge: "You alright back there, Juror #16?" Man: "Yeah." Judge: "Just resting your eyes?" Man: "Yeah." Judge: "All right, now!"
Judge: "Now look at you, Juror...you're wide awake now. All that talk about McDonald's!"

Lunch break.

As one of Jane's relatives, an elderly man, walked out of the courtroom he said to me, "I've got a sexual headache!"
Other reporters telling me jurors were cracking up and trying to hide it when judge asked "What are nipple clamps?"

 

[Woe.be.gone]

Also, the trial is in its Fifth Week.

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
MARIE OSBORNE - WWJ NEWS REPORTER - ‏@marieosbornewwj

>>>> Reporter misspelled Giffin's name in these tweets <<<<

Therese Gibbon met #bobbashara on alt. com. Former Chicago PD. Says Bob asked her to write a character letter@WWJ950
Therese Gibbon was granted immunity in trial. She was asked to NOT include how she met in letter#bobbashara@WWJ950
Gibbons reads latter she wrote was a dedicated family man"#bobbashara @WWJ950
Gibbon wrote letter with #bobbashara's help is compassionate, generous man incapable of hurting anyone"@WWJ950
Gibbon testifies #bobbashara told her not to tell police about their relationship. Both were into BDSM@WWJ950

Salacious testimony about what happened in dungeon. Nipple clamps, flogging, vibrators@WWJ950 #bobbashara
Judge Vonda Evans asks witness "what are nipple clamps?" Quite laughter in courtroom@WWJ950#bobbashara
Gibbon testifies #bobbashara told her he wanted a"3rd" who did not have children. Gibbon had under age child #bobbashara
Gibbon testifies after Jane's death #bobbashara has more contact with her because" Rachel turned her back on him"
Gibbons testifies #bobbashara urged her to post on Hinky Meter website that Jane had a boyfriend and he killed her@WWJ950

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
ELISHA ANDERSON - REPORTER &#8207;@elishaanderson

Witness 40: Therese Giffin. She was a Chicago police officer who was granted immunity for her testimony.

She wrote a character letter after Bashara asked her to, she testified.
In it, she said she can't sit back idly.
Bashara was a gentle, caring person. "Family came first and this was very important to him.”

Bashara told her he was divorced in 2010. They engaged in a BDSM relationship and she was tied to a cross at one point, she testified.
Prosecutors asked detailed questions about their relationship and what was used. Answers include the cross, vibrators and nipple clamps.

According to testimony, Bashara wanted a second woman to join his relationship. One of the requirements: no young kids, a letter shown said.
She had young kids and it didn't work out. But she stayed friends with Bashara and continued to correspond up until after Jane's murder.

They were first in contact in 2009 or 2010, Giffin said. When Rachel Gillett and him would have problems, Bashara would call her.
Bashara would want Giffin to talk to Gillett so Gillett wouldn't break up with him

Giffin said Bashara wanted her to put stuff on a blog that wouldn't make Jane look good.
He wanted her to put on a blog that Jane could possibly have had a boyfriend and that boyfriend was responsible for it, Giffin testified.
Giffin, a former police officer, said "it would have a very bad effect" and make investigators look in another direction.

Giffin said she truly believed Bashara was innocent when she made posts on Hinky Meter.

Break for lunch called until 1:45 p.m.

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
AMY LANGE - &#8207;FOX2 NEWS REPORTER

Next witness is Therese Giffin
She knows Bob Bashara - she has been granted immunity for her testimony
In relation to obstruction of justice
Backing up - She had met Bob on alt.com
She is a former Chicago Police officer and admits she did not tell police the truth when she first spoke with them
She gave false information because of embarrassment and the defendant asked her to keep certain things a secret
She was in contact with Bob and his attorney David Griem after Jane's death. She was asked to write a character letter on Bob's behalf that was to say all good things.
There was a discussion about her not including how they met in the character letter... "I can not longer sit idly watching the news and listening to law enforcement portray Bob Bashara in adverse manner so I have taken it upon myself to write a letter to show support One cannot meet a gentler caring person with an enormous generous heart. I have know bob for the past three years and we developed quite a friendship. He spoke of his kids and wife Jane - family came first."

She goes on to talk about him being so involved in Rotary and participating in a flash mob to end polio in Chicago. (seriously?)
She goes on to talk about how he's so caring and incapable of hurting anyone.

Lisa Lindsey - were some of the things in that letter not true? Correct
LL: They were discussed with the defendant before hand? Yes
LL: Did defendant ask you to keep the nature of your relationship private if the police came? Yes
LL: What was the time frame? When he was starting to be a person or interest or a suspect
LL: Start from the beginning - how did you meet? Defendant was looking for a third person to join him and his slave. He said his slave was Rachel.
Therese knew her by the name MB Slave - defendant went by Master Bob

He gave her instructions if she was going to be a third, she had to become friends with Rachel - read her blogs and get to know her.
He wanted a third to join that had no small children.
Police went to her in April 2012 and she did not tell them this information in detail
Defendant told her that he was divorced when she first met him in the beginning in 2010ish

In 2010, she came to Detroit but in the first statement she gave to police she denied any knowledge of the dungeon.
She had been to the dungeon but lied to police about it
She had been to the dungeon but did not have sexual relations with him.
But was there BDSM? Yes
Judge says - what was that?
Lisa Lindsey says she's about to get there.
Was there use of a strap on involved? Therese says - no strap on
Lisa Lindsey asks her to refer to a previous statement.
Giffin looking through statement can't find what they are referring to, "sorry I'm just nervous. I don't recall in detail about a strap on. At one point he tied me to a cross and flogged me.
Judge is asking questions flogger - tiny whips. Had her sit on a chair and used a vibrator. Clothes were off. Nipple clamps involved..

Judge has lots of questions.....
Judge: What are nipple clamps? Like little clothespins.
Judge: It was intimate contact but not sexual contact? Yes
Judge: And you left that out when you spoke with police? Yes ma'am.

Bob said after his wife died he shut down the dungeon and took everything out and not to say anything about it.
She says he told her not to cooperate with police - they're playing dirty.
(writer next to me says - interesting - after all that police were the ones playing dirty)
Therese had all kinds of instant messages but did not relay this information to police initially
They are showing an instant message between the two where they are talking about kids.
Bob says of course it doesn't bother me that you have kids. R and I both have children but for the third we seek the requirement is not to have young kids because they had already raised theirs. 'We wish to have an adult only household.'
Therese was not a possibility to be a third because she had a young child at home.

Judge - so how long did this relationship go on? I was friends with him from 2010 or 2009 and I remained friends with him on and off through Jane's murder and I was friends with him until police served a search warrant on my house and seized my computer and my attorney advised me to cease all contact.
Judge - you were the woman first? No - Rachel was the first woman
Lisa Lindsey - Defendant and Rachel were interviewing you to be a third

11/24/2011 - Therese sends this Instant message: "Yes I know I'm gone and forgotten. Don't meet her criteria, but Happy Thanksgiving to both of you.
Bob's response: "You are wrong. It is not her criteria. It is what she and I both want. This is the problem we both have with you. You seem to have a problem with My slave and the manner in which I choose to lead."
Therese still continues to correspond with Bob - speaks with him on the phone occasionally.

After Jane's murder, there started to be more contact with Bob. Rachel was turning her back on him at that point so he turns his attention to Therese.

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
AMY LANGE - &#8207;FOX2 NEWS REPORTER

December 2011 - Bob was interviewing Ms. Oregon
Rachel is still in the picture at this time

12/28/11 "I have not forgotten about you at all. I hope you are doing well and wish you a happy new year. We are in S.C. for my slave's daughter's wedding."
When there are problems with Rachel, when she breaks up with Bob, he would contact Therese and ask her to talk to Rachel so she wouldn't break up with him.

After Jane's murder, Therese went on the computer to look for Bob and noticed that his info was deleted
So she made contact with Bob by reaching out to Rachel and made contact with Bob by phone and instant message

When she spoke to police in April 2012, she indicated to police she had been having contact with the defendant.
She told them after Jane's murder, Bob talked about Rachel 80% of the time and talked about wife and children 20% of the time.
He had told Therese he loved Rachel

Bob was concerned about what was being said about him in the media and on a website called HinkyMeter.
He thought police and investigators were monitoring that website. He asked her to put posts on the HinkyMeter website.
He wanted her to put a post making Jane not look so good
He wanted her to put something out there that Jane could have had a boyfriend and he could have done it
Lisa Lindsey: "as a former police officer, what impact would putting that out there have?"
It would be bad and steer them in a different direction, but she didn't realize it at the time - this was a blog website and she wasn't thinking clearly.

She was a police officer for ten years but that was 15 years ago.
Judge wants to know why she would help him? Therese says she truly believed he was innocent.
Judge - Were you trying to become number one and be qualified? No
Bob did say after this was all over she would come to him - meaning he would make her his slave - when he cleared his name.
Judge: You were desirous of that? No
She did put stuff on the HinkyMeter and she said she complained that it was deleted
Judge asking for clarification on HinkyMeter - it's a blog that - at that time - was devoted to Jane's murder
Majority of the posts were dedicated to that topic (aside - EVERYBODY was monitoring that website at the time)
Therese posted negative things about Jane and they were deleted
After the murder Bob starts contacting her on various different phone numbers

Judge - you alright back there juror #16? Just resting your eyes?
He laughs and says yes he's fine.

Judge says we're going to come back at 1:45.

LUNCHBREAK!

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
GEORGE HUNTER - DETROIT NEWS REPORTER - &#8207;@GeorgeHunter_DN

Well, the #bobbashara trial was supposed to resume at 1:45. We're only 25 minutes late...so far.

In 10 more minutes, we'll be an hour late coming back from lunch in the #bobbashara trial.

We're officially an hour late. Defense and prosecutors are here. Jurors are in the back. Still waiting on the judge.

There's a lot of grumbling in the courtroom about the lack of punctuality.

And now, the judge just came back on the bench - exactly 1 hour, 15 minutes late.

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
MARIE OSBORNE - WWJ NEWS REPORTER - &#8207;@marieosbornewwj

Therese Giffin (not Gibbon-sorry adjusting record levels, missed spelling) will resume testimony in a few minutes #bobbashara

We were supposed to be back from lunch in #bobbashara trial at 1:45.
We are still waiting. Prosecutors, defense are here. No judge @WWJ950

 

[WildChild]

COURT TWEETS - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014
ELISHA ANDERSON - REPORTER &#8207;@elishaanderson

The trial was set to resume 50 minutes ago (at 1:45 p.m.)
Defense lawyers, prosecutors and deputies are all here. Judge Evans is not.

It's now 3 p.m.
Judge just came into courtroom. Trial was set to resume at 1:45 p.m. today.