Re: Jane Bashara Murder (thread #5)

[Darkman]

pics from court .......
 

[Darkman]

Demonxboy: (10 months ago)
 
"Is it true that Bob Bashara went to Albion college?
 
He is the one from Grosse Pointe in the Jane Bashara murder."
 
-----
 
linlee914: (10 months ago)
 
"Yes he did. I knew him well. He was a Sigma Chi and lived in the Frat house with my then boyfriend and now husband. He was a looser, no one liked him. He got in because I think he had a relative who was a Sigma Chi and if that's the case you get in. He had a fish tank with Piranha's in it. He was a liar and a social climber. He pretended to be much more wealthy then he was. He had extremely bad acne and when he'd get in a fight with a frat brother he'd run after them and threaten to pop his zits on them. None of this surprises me. I do joke with my husband that when "Master Bob" went through pledge week and got the paddle he was loving it! lol"
 
 
Source: http://www.ask.com/answers/227821241/is-it-true-that-bob-bashara-went-to-albion-college
 
(thanks to kittygirl for this find)

[Darkman]

Grosse Pointe Park's Bob Bashara to appear in court Thursday related to wife's strangulation
 

By Gus Burns | fburns@mlive.com MLive.com
Follow on Twitter
on September 04, 2013 at 2:15 PM, updated September 04, 2013 at 4:30 PM
 
 
UPDATE: The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday issued a release stating the hearing is adjourned and will be held on Sept. 9 prior to Robert Bashara's preliminary examination, which is expected to last five days.
 
DETROIT — Robert "Bob" Bashara, 55, accused of killing his wife, Jane Bashara, is scheduled to appear before Judge Kenneth King in Detroit's 36 District Court at 9 a.m. Thursday.
 
King is expected to hear arguments from the prosecution requesting the court-ordered release of evidence so far withheld by the defense.
 
 
Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2013/09/grosse_pointe_parks_bob_bashar_2.html

[Darkman]

Joe Gentz may not testify at Bob Bashara court hearing
 
By Jameson Cook, The Macomb Daily
 
Posted: 09/06/13, 10:18 PM EDT|
 
Whether Joe Gentz will testify is one of the intriguing questions surrounding this week’s preliminary examination for Bob Bashara, accused of having and plotting to have his wife killed.
 
Steve Kaplan, a former assistant prosecutor in Wayne and Macomb counties, predicted last week that Gentz will not testify because prosecutors appear to be planning to present a slew of circumstantial evidence against Bashara at the hearing, which is expected to last five days.
 
Wayne County assistant prosecutors Lisa Lindsey and Robert Moran can establish the necessary probable cause this week and supplement it with Gentz’s testimony for later conviction at trial, said Kaplan, now a criminal defense attorney.
 
“What I think they will decide to do is to not call Joe Gentz and instead prove the case circumstantially on the financial motive and the motive that he didn’t want to be married anymore,” Kaplan said. “That way if they don’t call Joe Gentz, he will not be subject to cross-examination and will take away his potential impeachment at trial.”
 
Bashara, 55, is accused of plotting to kill and killing his longtime wife, Jane Bashara, 56, in the garage of their Grosse Pointe Park home. Joe Gentz admitted to strangling Jane Bashara but said he did it under the threat of and promise of payment from Bob Bashara. Gentz, 49, of St. Clair Shores, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is serving 17 to 28 years in prison. The Mount Clemens native’s body was found Jan. 25, 2012, in her Mercedes SUV in an east-side Detroit alley.
 
Bashara is already serving a minimum of 80 months in prison after admitting he tried to have Gentz killed while he is jailed for the murder.
 
Potentially salacious accusations about Bashara’s “BDSM” lifestyle and illicit affair are expected to be part of the hearing in front of Judge Kenneth King in Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit.
 
Lindsey at a recent court hearing revealed the prosecution’s theory that Bashara wanted his wife dead partly due to his involvement in an alternative lifestyle involving kinky sex — bondage, domination, sadism and masochism.
 
“The BDSM lifestyle is going to be part of his motive (for murder),” she said at the hearing.
 
Part of that lifestyle theme could be evidence that Bashara was having an online relationship with someone from another state.
 
In addition, Bashara was having an affair with Rachel Gillette, and the pair has been reported as looking at houses together.
 
Bashara’s court-appointed defense attorneys, Rene Cooper and Mark Procida, will try to block as much titillating evidence as possible on the argument of irrelevancy.
 
The attorneys also may try to point the finger at Gentz, whom they may contend was angry at Bashara related to working for him as a handyman. Bashara was a landlord for multiple properties.
 
They also are expected to contend that Gentz, who has been described as a slow learner, blamed Bashara to secure a favorable plea deal.
 
Kaplan said Bashara’s attorneys will have a difficult time against the prosecution.
 
“The defense attorneys have been dealt a losing hand for the preliminary examination and likely for the trial,” he said.
 
Prosecutors will point out that after the slaying, Bashara hand-delivered a $452 check to Gentz, although Bashara’s attorneys will say that was payment for handyman services.
 
At trial, Gentz will be used to corroborate the circumstantial evidence, and vice versa, Kaplan said.
 
Prosecutors this week will present cellphone and text message evidence to show the frequent communication between Bashara and Gentz.
 
They have evidence of Gentz telling witnesses he was to be paid $5,000 or a Cadillac for his nefarious efforts.
 
Prosecutors may have financial evidence such as a life insurance that Bashara purchased for his wife, Kaplan said. They may argue he needed the money to keep up his alternative lifestyle.
 
Other witnesses are expected to describe offers by Bashara to have someone killed.
 
Judge King on Monday morning is expected to address a motion by the prosecution to compel the defense to turn over potential evidence.
 
About the Author:
 
Read more of Jameson Cook's court coverage on his blog http://courthousedish.blogspot.com/ Reach the author at jamie.cook@macombdaily.com .
 
Source: http://www.macombdaily.com/general-news/20130906/joe-gentz-may-not-testify-at-bob-bashara-court-hearing

[Darkman]

Bob Bashara expected back in court Monday
 
Posted: 09/06/2013
By: Ronnie Dahl
 
(WXYZ) - Grosse Pointe Park businessman Bob Bashara is already serving time after being convicted of plotting to kill handyman Joe Gentz, but he could be locked up for the rest of his life.
 
Bashara is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Jane. The 56-year-old marketing executive was found strangled in the back of her luxury SUV in January, 2012. Gentz was convicted for her murder, but says Bob hired him to do it and threatened to kill him if he didn't go through with the murder.
 
Bob Bashara is scheduled to be in Wayne Circuit Court Monday before 36th District Court Judge Kenneth King for a preliminary hearing. Action news has learned his alternative sex life is expected to be a component in the trial.
During the murder investigation, it was discovered Bashara was involved in the BDSM lifestyle.
 
BDSM stands for bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism.
 
Through blog posts, Action News Investigators learned Bashara was planning to buy a home in Grosse Pointe Park to share with his then mistress Rachael Gillett and another woman from Oregon.
 
On Friday night, the attorney for the other woman is talking with Action News.
 
"I believe at some time she will be called to testify," said attorney David Draper. "I think she will be a person that both sides would like to talk to and find out what she knows about the case."
 
Draper isn't going public with his client's name yet, but says she is a successful and independent woman. She met Bashara through the internet.
 
Bashara's preliminary exam is expected to take at least a week. If he is found guilty, Bashara could be sentenced to life in prison.
 
Source: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/bob-bashara-expected-back-in-court-monday

[Darkman]

Bashara Preliminary Exam Delayed Due To Escaped Prisoner

All court proceedings at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice has been delayed after a prisoner reportedly stabbed a Wayne County deputy.

Posted by Edward Cardenas (Editor) , September 09, 2013 at 11:38 AM

The Frank Murphy Hall of Justice was on lockdown after a prisoner attacked a Wayne County Deputy and fled. Credit: Ed Cardenas

The preliminary exam for Bob Bashara has been delayed Monday morning in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice after an inmate stabbed a deputy and took another deputy prisoner, according to The Detroit Free Press.

The Frank Murphy Hall of Justice is on lockdown, and the facility was cleared.

Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon stated that about 8 a.m. a prisoner was being placed in a holding cell on the seventh floor of the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice when he used a comb as a weapon to stab the deputy "several times in the neck."

The suspect then took part of the deputy's clothes, and his keys, and escaped the building. He then carjacked a civilian and fled the scene.

The suspect, Derreck White, dumped the van in the area of Concord and Lafayette according to Detroit Police Chief James Craig. He was in court to be arraigned on armed robbery charges.

Napoleon said the deputy was in temporary serious condition with puncture wounds to the neck.

Maria Miller, spokeswoman for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, stated that the Bashara preliminary examination will be heard at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Source: http://grossepointe.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/bashara-preliminary-exam-delayed-due-to-escaped-prisoner

[Darkman]

Bob Bashara's mistress to take stand when court resumes
 
Rachel Gillet to reveal intimate details

---- TEXT & VIDEO (2:54) ----
 
DETROIT -
A key hearing which was set to begin Monday in downtown Detroit for the prosecution lays out it's case against Bob Bashara will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
 
LIVE at 1:30 p.m.: Bob Bashara is in court for his preliminary examination.
 
The hearing was postponed after the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice was put on lockdown after a prisoner escaped.
 
On Sunday Local 4 Defenders confirmed Rachel Gillet was in town, and when the hearing does happen she will reveal intimate details about her relationship with Bashara in a preliminary exam.
 
The story has taken many twists and turns, including an in depth look at the S&M lifestyle that she says she participated in with the man known as Master Bob.
 
Gillet is expected to help prosecutors show that they believed Bashara was in a hurry to have his wife killed, removing Jane Bashara from the picture so Bob and his mistress, Gillet, could begin a new life.
 
The defenders spoke with Gillet exclusively, months after Jane's murder. Gillet's story and testimony is key because she can help speak to a possible motive for murder.
 
Another potentially important witness is another woman who lives in Oregon. She met Bob and Gillet online and was planning to also begin a new life with them in Grosse Pointe Park. She is also expected to offer insight at some point during the trial, but beginning Monday morning, the court will likely hear from from those closest to the murder investigation.
 
Another key figure in this case handyman Joe Gentz. He changed his story several times, and as the defenders revealed, has had behavioral issues in prison.
 
Gentz's version of events and credibility would be questioned by the defense, but at this point, Gentz's story may not even be necessary with thousands of documents and 200 potential witnesses for the trial.
 
More than 50 witnesses could be called this week by the prosecution. Police detectives, former lovers, those who claim Bob hired them to carry out the hit and maybe even family members.
 
Source: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/bob-basharas-mistress-takes-the-stand-in-murder-case/-/1719418/21842956/-/fo2eftz/-/index.html

[Darkman]

Watch live 1:30 p.m.: Prosecutors to lay out evidence against Bob Bashara in wife's murder
 
By Elisha Anderson and Gina Damron
 
12:18 AM, Sep. 9, 2013
 
The case has gripped metro Detroit since Jane Bashara of Grosse Pointe Park went missing in January 2012, and today, prosecutors plan to begin laying out their evidence against her husband, who is accused of arranging her murder.
 
Bob Bashara’s preliminary examination is slated to start this morning, take five days to complete and include testimony from more than 21 witnesses, according to court documents.
 
Follow along with our live video from the courtroom above. If you're viewing this on a mobile device, tap here to see the video or tap here to follow the live blog.
 
Bashara has repeatedly proclaimed he is innocent in the death of his wife. She was found strangled in her SUV on Detroit's east side a day after her husband reported her missing.
 
[ ... SNIP ... ]
 
Attorneys with the prosecution and defense have stayed silent on many of the case's details and neither side has said who is expected to take the stand during the examination before 36th District Judge Kenneth King at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit.
 
Source:
 
http://www.freep.com/livestream/article/20130909/NEWS05/130908009/bob-bashara-jane-bashara-murder-trial

[Darkman]

Bob Bashara reports to court for key hearing in murder case
 
Published On: Sep 09 2013 12:16:59 AM EDT Updated On: Sep 09 2013 03:51:44 PM EDT

 
 
kittygirl etc: (@ justice4jane)
 
first witness church member. I didn't catch the name (Mr. McQueen from St. Michael's Church). Testifying about events of Jan 22.

Jane and witness were counting funds for church when Bob came into the room and started having a heated discussion with Jane that lasted 10 minutes. He could not determine what it was about and he tried not to eavesdrop.

witness dismissed.

next witness Stephanie Samuel. { - nice nails ))) }

gun in safety deposit box!!! (Stephanie identified the gun!!!!!)

They trusted Griem. DUH!!!! (they gave the gun to David Griem, ex Bob Bashara's attorney)

The significance of the papers in Stephanie's testimony...in some of the papers she found a box of bullets.

It's MAMA!!!

I missed most of Mama's testimony (Mama B corroborated the gun story in the safe depsoit box then admitted Blob used her cell phone. Then they asked her did she ever call in a tip to a hotline or call Ruth to the Rescue. She said no then the lawyer said no further questions. Looks like Blob called in a fake tip on Mama B's phone?)

... but now there is a police woman on the stand.

Sept 4 is what she is testifying about.

she is testifying about the retrieval of the firearm from Griem's office.

Next up Robert Godard. This is the man who he asked if he knew anyone who could put a hurt on somebody.

...

Looks like it is done for today.

...


EllsBells:

Geez ... Boober wasn't even smart enough to throw away the gun, like into the middle of Lake St. Clair where no one could find it. The idiot puts it into a jointly held safety deposit box and gets his poor mother unwittingly to stow it away for him.

Then the creep has the gall to give both his cousin and mother a long contemptuous stare, when they were only doing what was required --- to tell the truth.

Thought Mrs. Bashara blouse was an odd choice at first --- look like a pediatric nurse smock --- until realized the words on it "hugs", "love", "care" etc. were probably meant to send a message to Bob. Why else pick such a strange top to wear to court? I feel bad for her now.


meandmyshadow:

Recap of today's testimony:

A member of St Michaels' vestry testified that he witnessed an argument between Jane and Blob in January 2012 (if I recall the date correctly) while the witness and Jane were counting the collection funds in the counting room. Bob was asked to leave by the witness because his presence was not allowed, and his bevhavior was not appropriate.

Staphanie Samuels testified that in July 2012 she was called to the Comerica Bank in Grosse Pointe Woods by her Aunt Nancy Bashara to see the safe deposit box that Laura, Nancy and Bob shared. Inside that box Nancy had found a pouch with a handgun. She showed it to Laura and Stephanie. They took the gun to the Middlesex house, hid it, showed it to David Griem. David Griem took the gun off their hands. Staphanie did not notify the police. (it was here that they played the clip of the Dateline interview where Blob vehemently denies having a gun). She then testified that Bob she had assisted Bob in getting character letters from tenants and admitted that she wrote/typed the letter for one tenant (she actually only admitted to dictating the letter for the tenant). Then she testified that Bob called her from jail and asked her to evict a specific tenant for him. She also testified that she had seen the discovery documents that David Griem gave them regarding the solicitation case for Bob against Gentz. Also there were forms she found in August 2013 in files of Bob's in her basement but I was interrupted so missed the significance of those papers.

Then Nancy Bashara took the stand, and corroborated the story of finding the gun in the safe deposit box, showing it to Stephine and Laura, taking it home, hiding it, and giving it to David Griem. She further testified that the pouch that the gun was in was in a bag of jewelry, watched and coins that Bob gave Nancy to place in the safe deposit box at Comerica Bank in March 2012. Nancy corroborated that she saw the pouch in the bag in March, but did not look in it. Then she corroborated that no one else had signed in to access the pouch between March and July 2012 when she saw the pouch still there, opened it, and found the hand gun.

After Nancy Bashara a Michigan State police officer took the stand to testify that she was called to recover a gun from David Griem's office in September 2012 that was in the same pouch identified by both Nancy and Stephanie.

Next a friend of Bob's took the stand and stated that he had been introduced to the BDSM lifestyle by Blob, invited to parties at the dungeon, met Rachel there. Testified that Rachel was Blobs girl (and slave) ans that the plan was to buy a house with her and have a life together. He also testified that Bob was not happy in his marriage or that Jane was totally opposed to the BDSM lifestyle. He then testified that in July of 2011 during a lunch meeting Blob inquired if the witness knew anyone who could "rough up" and annoying tenant. Lastly, the witness testified that he had received a call from Bob from jail that his name was being given to someone named Richard. Just a guess here, but maybe this was the threat or Intimidation of witnesses and we will hear more later?

Finally, Jane's best friend took the stand and testified that Jane was not OK with Bob's lifestyle (he watched porn and used the kid's email addresses to pretend he was them and sent inappropriate emails), that Bob lied all the time, that Jane suspected Bob stole $10,000 from her 401K, that he was gone A LOT for the last few months of her life, and that she did not want a divorce, although Bob had mentioned it once.

Did I miss anything? Feel free to fill in the blanks!!


Darkman: (@ Darkman ... lol)

Pretty sure I heard Jane's best friend say ... that during some gathering Bob was being Bob basically (aka An ass that he iis) ... And then Jane told her something like: "Bob is all talk ... He can't even get it up" (or something like that) ... followed by prosecutor talking / asking about Bob's erectile problems.

 

[Darkman]

Bashara in court for preliminary hearing on wife, Jane Bashara's 1st degree murder case

 
Posted: 5:41 AM
Last Updated: 54 minutes ago

(WXYZ) - Bob Bashara was in court Monday for a preliminary hearing in the first degree murder case of his wife Jane Bashara.
 
The start of the hearing was delayed from the morning court session until 1:30 pm due to  the police situation at Frank Murphy Hall of Justice .
 
The preliminary hearing, which will continue Tuesday, is expected to focus on Bashara's double life.
 
The court heard some testimony on the that life with one witnesses talking about what he called Bashara's "dungeon" and his relationship with Rachel Gillet.
 
Prosecutors say the secret life involved bondage and kinky sex and is the motive behind Bashara wanting his wife dead. Prosecutors say they have a witness who can help them prove it.
 
"I think she is a person both sides will want to talk to to see what she knows," says David Draper, attorney for the prosecutor's witness. She is yet to be named but we do know she is from Oregon.
 
The witness met Bashara on an alternate lifestyle website focuses on master-slave sex relationships with more than one partner.
 
Prosecutors say the plan included Bashara, his girlfriend Rachel Gillett and the Oregon witness to set up a household in Grosse Pointe Park. Prosecutors say the plan did not include Bashara's wife, Jane.
 
"What's very powerful is for somebody to come forward, even if it may be embarrassing," said Draper.
 
During Monday's hearing the court also heard testimony about a revolver that was found in a safe deposit box shared by Bashara and his mother and turned over to police by his former attorney, David Griem.
 
Bashara had told police he didn't own a gun.
 
Prosecutors are hoping to prove Bashara wanted his wife out of the picture; hiring handyman Joe Gentz to commit the murder. Gentz has admitted as much but says despite a change of heart, he was forced to follow through at gun point.
 
Jane's body was found in her SUV on Detroit's east side in January of 2012; nearly two years later his hearing will determine if her husband will stand trial for her murder.
 
Bashara is currently in jail for plotting to kill Gentz. He could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted of first degree murder in the death of his wife.
 
Source: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/wayne_county/bob-bashara-in-court-for-preliminary-hearing-on-wife-jane-basharas-first-degree-murder-case

[Darkman]

Re: Jane Bashara -- Deceased 1/24/12
 


by CuriousPortlander Today at 4:04 pm
 
My notes from Day 1:
 
Witness 1: William McQueen; witness from church

• witnessed argument between Jane and Bob on Jan. 22
  

Witness 2: Stephanie Samuels, Bob's cousin

• said that in July, 2012, Nancy (Bob's mother) took her to the bank where her safety deposit box was (for which only she and Bob had keys). Nancy took out a gun (which Bob said he never owned).
  
• She took gun and put it in Bob's buffet. Then showed it to Griem.
  
• She gave gun to Griem; he put it in his safe.
  
• She said this event caused her to hire an attorney, and she was granted immunity as it "relates to certain physical evidence that came into her possession"
  
• Bob asked her to clear out all papers from Bob's office. She moved all papers into plastic tubs and took to her home. This was in July (2012?).
  
• She sorted through tubs and found a box of bullets. She turned those over to police.
  
• Bob never told her about marital problems, wanting a divorce, or an open marriage.
  
• Confronted Bob about "open marriage" comment on TV; she asked if he was having an affair; he said no. Confrontations were by Stephanie, Nancy, and Bob's sister (Laura?)
  
• He told Stephanie he needed to use her phone because his had died. Sounds like he called the woman in Oregon on it.
  
• Bob originally said the attack on Jane was a random one. After the affair came out, he said he was a person of interest. Bob said that Joe called Middlesex home and told him he needed money for his daughter. Bob never mentioned anything about a Cadillac until it came out in the media.
  
• Bob had a renter, April. April's former boyfriend called Bob. Stephanie heard the message; said April or current boyfriend had something to do with murder. Bob never reported to police.
  
• She took notes for William Schatz as a character reference for Bob.
  
• Bob told Stephanie he was set up (and not guilty) of solicitation of murder.
  
• Bob, just after in jail for solicitation, instructed her to evict a tenant.
  
• Griem gave her discovery (that was another no-no)
  

Witness #3: Nancy Bashara (Bob's mother)

• opened safety deposit box; had not seen pouch before, but pouch was in bag Bob had given her; saw gun and jewelry
  

Witness #4: Sgt. Twana Powell; MI state police

• Sept. 4 2013 - retrieved firearm from David Griem's office (32 caliber revolver; chrome with black handle)
  

Witness #5: Robert John Godard, Jr; did business with Bob; known him for about 20 years; eventually became friends with Bob and Jane

• became involved in alternative lifestyle (BDSM); Bob introduced the lifestyle to this witness
  
• invited this witness to parties in dungeon
  
• met Rachel thru Bob; he told witness he cared for her very much, and that they were going to buy a home together and make a life together (roughly Oct. 2011)
  
• Bob introduced him to other women
  Bob said he wasn't happy with his wife; he was hoping she would get into BDSM, and she wouldn't
  
• Bob told witness that Rachel was his slave
  
• At lunch, Bob asked him if he could "rough somebody up". He said he didn't know anyone who could.
  

Witness #6: Patricia Matthews - knew Jane since they were 15; Jane was her best friend

• Jane told her Bob had erectile dysfunction; sort of reconciled herself to a sexless marriage
  
• Jane told her Bob always lied; couldn't trust him with money
  
• Kids caught him watching porn (and he was going into their emails and answering as if them)
  
• He didn't have any boundaries; she wanted to stay in the marriage; he wanted out
  
• She retired; based on how Bob was handling rentals, financial problems required her to go back to work
  
• He wanted to take money out of her retirement account; Jane said no; he removed 10K without her permission
  
• Bob said he had to go to a sanitation seminar; Jane said he called her from there
  
• Bob said he had to go to FL for a golf thing; she (not sure if Jane or witness) called the guy he was supposed to be with, and he said Bob wasn't with him and asked him to cover for Bob 
  

Court in recess until tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Eastern.

[Darkman]

September 9, 2013 at 8:36 pm
 
Basharas clashed over lifestyle issues and money, friend testifies at preliminary exam
 
George Hunter, The Detroit News
 
Detroit— Bob Bashara was upset because his wife, Jane, was not interested in his sado-masochistic sexual practices, while she was upset she couldn’t trust him with money, witnesses testified in court Monday.
 
Six witnesses were called during Bashara’s preliminary examination on first-degree murder charges. Among them: Jane Bashara’s best friend, Patricia Matthews, who said Jane often confided in her about their troubled marriage.
 
Among Matthews’ revelations: Jane was upset because Bashara took $10,000 from her 401(k) account without her permission prompting her to change her passwords.
 
Bashara is charged with first-degree murder in connection with his wife’s Jan. 24, 2012, death, which rocked their hometown of Grosse Pointe Park and made national headlines.
 
Prosecutors say Bashara paid his handyman Joseph Gentz to carry out the killing. Gentz is in prison after pleading guilty to the murder, which he says he committed at Bashara’s behest.
 
During Monday’s testimony, Matthews recalled an incident in August, 2011, in which Jane Bashara was upset after their two children caught her husband watching “weird porn.”
 
“(Jane) was livid; the kids were very upset with him,” Matthews said. “He was watching weird porn and the kids caught him. The kids were very upset; he was going into their emails and answering them, pretending to be them.
 
“(Jane) said he had no boundaries. She said that after (the kids caught Bashara looking at porn), Bob said, ‘Just wait until (daughter) Jessica graduates from high school, and if you want out of this (marriage), fine.”
 
Matthews said Jane wanted to keep their marriage together. “She said she was taken aback; she was looking for ways he would improve and not do this.”
 
Matthews added Jane often discussed her husband’s flirtations with other women.
 
“She said Bob’s a big flirt, but it’s all a show ... ” she said.
 
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey asked: “So Jane had reconciled herself to a sexless marriage?” To which Matthews replied, “Somewhat.”
 
“She always said Bob always lies,” Matthews said. “She couldn’t count on what he said. She didn’t trust him with money.”
 
Jane Bashara was disappointed she had to return to work after taking a buyout from Detroit Edison, Matthews said.
 
“She was hoping he’d improve his business,” Matthews said. “She was the breadwinner mostly.”
 
Matthews said Jane told her Bashara asked if she’d withdraw $10,000 from her 401(k) account “to invest in a business with his sister. She said she didn’t want to do that.”
 
“When the next quarterly statement came, $10,000 had been taken out,” Matthews said. “She was furious. She had to change all her (passwords).”
 
An odd request

Before Matthews’ testimony, Robert Godard Jr. took the stand.
 
He said he did business with Bashara for a number of years before the defendant introduced him to the BDSM (bondage/discipline/sadomasochism) lifestyle by inviting him to a party at the sex dungeon he operated beneath his Detroit bar.
 
Godard said he met Bashara’s girlfriend, Rachel Gillett, at a party. He also said he met other women through that lifestyle, but after Gillett came into the picture, there were no others.
 
“Rachel was his woman,” Godard said, “He cared for her very much. They were going to buy a home together and make a life together.”
 
Regarding the Basharas’ marriage, Godard said: “I know they were not doing very well as a couple. I think that he was hoping she’d get into this alternative lifestyle but she didn’t want to.”
 
During the summer of 2011, Godard said Bashara approached him during a business lunch with an odd request.
 
“Out of the blue he asked me if I knew anybody who could put a hurt on somebody,” Godard said.
 
“He just indicated he had a tenant who was making a lot of noise over one of his properties, and he wanted to quiet him up. I was a little shocked by it. I (told him) I didn’t know anyone.”
 
Pistol in safe deposit box

Bashara’s mother, Nancy Bashara, and his cousin, Stephanie Samuel, testified they were surprised to find a pistol in the safe deposit box they shared at a Comerica Bank branch.
 
Samuel, who has gotten immunity for her testimony, said she took the pistol to Bashara’s home on Middlesex, and later gave it to his former attorney, David Griem.
 
Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Twana Powell later testified she got the gun from Griem.
 
Testimony is expected to continue at 9 a.m. today.
 
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130909/METRO01/309060133

[Darkman]

Bashara Preliminary Exam Delayed Due To Escaped Prisoner

All court proceedings at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice has been delayed after a prisoner reportedly stabbed a Wayne County deputy.

Posted by Edward Cardenas (Editor) , September 09, 2013 at 11:38 AM

The Frank Murphy Hall of Justice was on lockdown after a prisoner attacked a Wayne County Deputy and fled. Credit: Ed Cardenas

The preliminary exam for Bob Bashara has been delayed Monday morning in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice after an inmate stabbed a deputy and took another deputy prisoner, according to The Detroit Free Press.

The Frank Murphy Hall of Justice is on lockdown, and the facility was cleared.

Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon stated that about 8 a.m. a prisoner was being placed in a holding cell on the seventh floor of the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice when he used a comb as a weapon to stab the deputy "several times in the neck."

The suspect then took part of the deputy's clothes, and his keys, and escaped the building. He then carjacked a civilian and fled the scene.

The suspect, Derreck White, dumped the van in the area of Concord and Lafayette according to Detroit Police Chief James Craig. He was in court to be arraigned on armed robbery charges.

Napoleon said the deputy was in temporary serious condition with puncture wounds to the neck.

Maria Miller, spokeswoman for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, stated that the Bashara preliminary examination will be heard at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Source: http://grossepointe.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/bashara-preliminary-exam-delayed-due-to-escaped-prisoner

Prisoner on run after stabbing Sheriff's deputy in custody
 
Abraham Pearson caught walking near I-94 after escaping custody before sentencing
 
Published On: Sep 09 2013 03:45:31 PM EDT | Updated On: Sep 10 2013 12:13:18 AM EDT
  
DETROIT -
 
Police say 25-year-old Abraham Pearson, also known by the alias Derrick White, has been captured and is currently in police custody.
 
He was caught while walking eastbound on the I-94 service drive near Mt. Mt. Elliott, police confirm.
 
Pearson had been on the run since 8 a.m. Monday when chaos broke at Detroit's Frank Murphy Hall of Justice.
 
Pearson was brought to court from jail along with two other prisoners. He was set to be sentenced for carjacking and armed robbery.
 
While in a holding cell outside the courtroom, unarmed 63-year-old Sheriff's deputy Harrison Tolliver had un-cuffed Pearson. That's when the prisoner stabbed Tolliver with a handmade knife made from a plastic comb.
 
"The inmate as he was un-handcuffed and being placed in his holding cell overcame the deputy, stabbed him several times in the neck," said Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon.
 
Pearson then undressed Tolliver, took his uniform and got into an elevator to the ground floor of the courthouse. He went out unlocked doors which used to be locked at all times.
 
Pearson made it to a parking lot about a 1/2 block away where he carjacked a 58-year-old woman outside the old Detroit police headquarters.
 
Read more: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/prisoner-on-run-after-stabbing-sheriffs-deputy-at-detroit-courthouse/-/1719418/21852694/-/tnp444/-/index.html

[Darkman]

Bob Bashara reports to court for key evidentiary hearing in murder case
 
Preliminary hearing to decide if there is enough evidence to try Bob Bashara for murder
 
Published On: Sep 09 2013 12:16:59 AM EDT | Updated On: Sep 09 2013 08:39:14 PM EDT
 
DETROIT -
Prosecutors say a key hearing now underway for a man from an affluent Detroit suburb they say hired a handyman to kill his wife is expected to take about five days.
 
The preliminary hearing to decide if there's enough evidence to try Robert Bashara for first-degree murder began Monday afternoon.
 
Witness Patricia Matthews says Jane Bashara complained that her husband flirted with other women, stayed out overnight and stole from her retirement fund in the months before she was strangled.
 
Quick Clicks:
 

• RAW: Bob Bashara's cousin speaks at prelim exam
  
  
  
• Bob Bashara's mistress takes the stand
  
  
  

UNCUT: Bashara's cousin takes stand during prelim exam.
 
Jane 's body was found Jan 24, 2012, in her Mercedes-Benz in a Detroit alley, a few miles from the couple's home in Grosse Pointe Park. Joseph Gentz has pleaded guilty to strangling her, saying he did so at her husband's behest.
 
Bashara already is serving up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to trying to hire someone to kill Gentz in jail. He's denied involvement in his wife's death.
 
Bashara's alleged secret gun focus on Monday:
 
 Bashara's own mother took the stand Monday saying her son handed her a pouch to put inside her safety deposit box after Jane's murder. The pouch had a gun in it but she says she did not find that out until months later.
 
"I opened it up and I saw a gun," she said.
 
Bashara's mother and cousin both said they immediately handed the weapon over to his attorney at the time, David Griem. However, detectives didn't learn about the gun until last week.
 
The gun was locked up in Griem's office for more than a year. He says two legal experts told him to hang onto the weapon.
 
"This isn't something that comes out in evidence 101 or any law school book," Griem told Local 4. "I safeguarded that gun."
 
Legal expert Todd Flood says Griem now could be in legal trouble for keeping the weapon.
 
"He could face an obstruction charge, tampering with a witness," Flood said.
 
Source: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/bob-basharas-mistress-takes-the-stand-in-murder-case/-/1719418/21842956/-/fo2eftz/-/index.html

[Darkman]

Videos:

Persecution: Key evidence in Bashara case hidden until recently

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/persecution-key-evidence-in-bashara-case-hidden-until-recently/-/1719418/21856702/-/c2u5tz/-/index.html

UNCUT: Jane's best friend takes stand during Bashara prelim
Friend: 'Jane said Bob took money out of her account'

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/uncut-jane-basharas-best-friend-takes-stand-during-prelim-exam/-/1719418/21854174/-/vxa73x/-/index.html

[Darkman]

Videos:
 
Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Examination. Sept 9. Partial
 

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybNIB-FMsnI ( 01:24:24 )
 
----------
 
Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 9. Part 2. Partial
 

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aTVt6Shjps ( 00:30:00 )

[Darkman]

So Bob added another attorney ... He has 3 attorneys currently (all of them are Court appointed ones, more likely) ... The newest addition is a young female lawyer.
 
Here are a couple of screenshots of her:

[Darkman]

Witnesses talk of Bob Bashara's gun, BDSM lifestyle during preliminary hearing
 
9:42 PM, September 9, 2013
 
By Gina Damron and Elisha Anderson
Detroit Free Press Staff Writers
 
---- includes photo gallery from court ---- Here are some pics from there:



 
Time after time, Bob Bashara was caught in lies.
 
He didn’t tell the truth about having a gun. He lied about a golf outing to Florida. And he never confessed about an affair when asked by his family.
 
That’s what witnesses, who testified Monday during the first day of Bashara’s preliminary examination at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, said about the man accused of arranging his wife’s killing.
 
His cousin, Stephanie Samuel, testified she asked Bashara about a mistress after reports surfaced in the news media.
 
“Are you having an affair?” she said. “He said, ‘No.’ ”
 
She asked who the person was, and Bashara replied: “She’s a friend,” Samuel said.
 
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey said Bashara’s former mistress, as well as his lifestyle in the BDSM lifestyle — bondage, discipline, sadomasochism — were motives for the killing of Jane Bashara of Grosse Pointe Park, who was found strangled in her SUV in January 2012.
 
Bashara, who wore green jail garb to court, sat mostly expressionless at the defense table. He was charged earlier this year with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder, suborning of perjury during a capital trial, witness intimidation and obstruction of justice.
 
His attorneys, Mark Procida and René Cooper, chose not to cross-examine any of the witnesses who took the stand Monday, including Bashara’s mother, Nancy Bashara, and his wife’s best friend. The defense team did object to the relevance of questions regarding his involvement in the BDSM lifestyle.
 
Robert Godard Jr. testified that Bashara had been with women other than his wife, but that one woman — Rachel Gillett — won his heart, and the pair planned to move in together.
 
“They were going to buy a home together and make a life together,” Godard said Bashara told him.
 
Bob and Jane Bashara’s marriage was rocky and ending it had been brought up once their children were out of school, according to Monday’s testimony.
 
Godard testified that the couple’s relationship was strained because she would not participate in the BDSM lifestyle.
 
He also said that Bashara told him he had a problem with a tenant and asked whether he knew anyone who could “put a hurt on somebody.”
 
The comment, he said, was shocking.
 
Jane Bashara, who was the family’s breadwinner, had a laundry list of problems with her husband: she didn’t trust him with money, he suffered from erectile dysfunction and the couple had a mostly sexless marriage, her best friend, Patricia Matthews, testified.
 
“Bob always lies. Bob always lies,” she said Jane Bashara told her. “She couldn’t count on what he said.”
 
Matthews said she caught Bob Bashara in a lie about a golf trip to Florida around Christmas in 2011. She became suspicious and called the person he was supposed to be with, who told her he hadn’t seen Bashara in three years and said Bashara asked him to cover in case Jane called.
 
Another thing that didn’t set well with Matthews was a phone call made to her on Jan. 24, 2012, the day Bashara reported his wife missing. Bashara, she testified, said: “She’s not here and she always leaves a note.”
 
That, too, Matthews said, wasn’t true. In three decades of friendship, she said she called over to the house and had been repeatedly told by Bob Bashara that his wife wasn’t home and he didn’t know where she was.
 
Also revealed during testimony was that a gun, found by Bob Bashara’s mother in a safety deposit box she shared with him, was kept for more than a year by Bashara’s former attorney, David Griem, until it was retrieved last week by authorities.
 
Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Twana Powell testified they retrieved the gun — a .32-caliber revolver — from Griem’s office in downtown Detroit on Wednesday.
 
Nancy Bashara, Bob Bashara’s mother, testified that she found the gun in the safety deposit box in July 2012. At the time, her son was in jail on a charge of solicitation of murder, accused of trying to arrange for the slaying of Joseph Gentz — the former handyman who told authorities he killed Jane Bashara at her husband’s direction.
 
Bob Bashara had previously said in a nationally televised interview that was played in court Monday: “I don’t own a gun.”
 
Nancy Bashara said when she saw the gun, which was in a pouch, “I closed it very quickly and left. I was very surprised.”
 
A couple of days later, family members had a meeting with Griem at the Bashara home on Middlesex. She, her daughter and her niece showed Griem the gun, and he took it, she testified.
 
Griem said he consulted with two highly regarded lawyers in the Detroit legal community on what to do with the gun.
 
“I followed the directions of both of those lawyers,” he said. “I safeguarded the gun in a locked room in the office.”
 
If he had left gun at Bashara’s home and the gun had disappeared, then Griem said he believes there would have been an issue.
 
“I don’t know if the gun played any role in the alleged crime,” he said.
 
Larry Dubin, a University of Detroit Mercy law professor who teaches legal ethics, said a lawyer cannot hide a weapon that had some involvement in a crime that the lawyer’s client is now charged with.
 
“The first question would be whether a gun is relevant to the criminal case in question,” Dubin said. “If it is relevant and a lawyer comes into the possession of that gun, the lawyer cannot hide the gun and would generally be under an obligation as an officer of the court to have the gun turned over to the prosecution.”
 
Bashara, who went to prison after pleading guilty to solicitation of murder for trying to have Gentz killed, has repeatedly proclaimed he is innocent in his wife’s death. Her body was found the day after her husband reported her missing.
 
Gentz, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, said Bashara offered him money to kill his wife and threatened him if he didn’t go through with it. At one point, Gentz told police Bashara held a gun to his head.
 
The examination continues at 9 a.m. today before 36th District Judge Kenneth King. It is expected to continue throughout the week with more than 21 witnesses scheduled to be called.
 
Contact Gina Damron: 313-223-4526 or gdamron@freepress.com. Contact Elisha Anderson: 313-222-5144 or eanderson@freepress.com
 
Source: http://www.freep.com/article/20130909/NEWS05/309090014/Bob-Bashara-preliminary-examination-in-wife-Jane-s-murder

[Darkman]

So Bob added another attorney ... He has 3 attorneys currently (all of them are Court appointed ones, more likely) ... The newest addition is a young female lawyer.
 
Here are a couple of screenshots of her:

Spoiler:

[Darkman]

meandmyshadow: (@ justice4jane)

Summary of preliminary hearing morning of day 2. The day began with the Medical Examiner walking us through exhibits 13-18 of Jane Bashara's autopsy. His determined that she endured multiple blunt force trauma to the head, neck, and upper chest with an unknown object with sufficient enough force to crush her trachea and tear cartiledge from her voice box. Her body showed evidence of strangulation- which was the cause of death. The manner of death ruled as Homicide. Her death was not quick, at least 3-4 min of beatings and struggling before succombing to the strangulation. One of her nails was torn. Her nails were clipped during autopsy. And sent to crime lab for DNA analysis . Cross exam was uneventful.

Next witness was the ATF phone forensic expert who walked us through all of the cell phone evidence against Bashara. Highlights include frantic calls to Gentz (33) -unanswered except for 3- in the 3-4 days prior to the murder, that there were over 400 calls between the 2 cell phones from Sept 2011- January 31 2012, Rachel was numero uno based on almost 1000 phone calls between them August 2011 - January 31 2012. Oregon slave had regular contact even after Blobs visit to her in January 2012 which was corroborated by Blobs cell phone pings. Cell phone records indicated that Blob did not make repeated calls to Jane's cell phone the night of her murder, that Steve Tibado did not initiate contact with blob as a setup but blob overwhelmingly contacted Steve more than the reverse, and that nancy basharas cell phone was used to call tips in to hotlines. Nancy Bashara denied making those calls but admitted to letting Bob use her phone. Extensive cross exam to discredit the reports completed by the witness were in my opinion unsuccessful.

Lastly Rebecca Forton testified that blob encouraged her to rent to joe, was often angry when he didn't get his way, seemed in control of joe (who in her opinion seemed non threatening and non confrontational even though big), and indicated that joe said he would soon be coming into money (this was in December of 2011).

Fasten your seat belts the afternoon is gonna be a wild ride!

ADDED:

The afternoon's testimony about Bob attempting to get someone "t boned", get insulin, get Gentz taken care of by Steve Tibaudo and testimony about his cocaine use, association with criminals (felons), and paying felons to call in false tips makes one extremely nauseated. Cross examination has not been efective at all in lessening the powerfujl impact that the evidence being presented has on anyone who hears it. Talk about tip of the iceberg! The least credible witness was Paul Monroe, but I still believed every word he said! How chilling that after snorting cocaine Bob actually admitted to the murder! Because divorce is losing money. What a depraved pig! And who knew that there was further he could sink?

[Darkman]

So Bob added another attorney ... He has 3 attorneys currently (all of them are Court appointed ones, more likely) ... The newest addition is a young female lawyer.
 
Here are a couple of screenshots of her:

Spoiler:

Bob Bashara's female attorney's name is Nancy Shell ...

[Darkman]

Friday, June 28, 2013
 
Bashara gets 'team' of public defenders
 
It appears Bob Bashara will have a legal "team," even though its members are court-appointed and paid by taxpayers, unless the incarcerated Grosse Pointe Park man accused of helping kill his wife changes course and decides he can afford to hire an attorney.
 
Bashara's court-appointed attorney, Mark Procida, said two of his colleagues from a Detroit-based state public defender group -- attorneys Rene Cooper and Nancy Shell -- will assist him "due to the amount of discovery and complexity of the case."
 
This maneuver gives the public the right to whine about the tax dollars going to an accused murderer and convicted solicitor of murder. But looking at the big picture, and as sickening as it may be, Bashara deserves and has a Constitutional right to a quality defense to hold prosecutors to a high standard.
 
The trio, by the way, are part of the Legal Aide and Defender Association. Procida is in the State Defender's office, part of the association, which receives 25 percent of criminal appointments in Wayne County.
 
posted by Jameson Cook at 10:27 AM
 
Source: http://courthousedish.blogspot.com/2013_06_01_archive.html

[Darkman]

Videos:
 
Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 10. Day 2. Part 1
 

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th9zld1nJ8U
 
-----------
 
Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 10. Day 2. Part 2
 

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ALW4K5amW4
 
-----------
 
Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 10. Day 2. Part 3
 

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtB8y0kknRc 
 
-----------
 
Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 10. Day 2. Part 4
 

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jub_59IIlbc

[Darkman]

Six Takeaways From Bob Bashara's Court Hearing Tuesday
 
September 10th, 2013, 5:02 PM
 
Testimony continued Tuesday in the preliminary examination of Bob Bashara to determine if there is enough evidence to have Bashara stand trial for the murder of his wife, Jane.

The death of Jane Bashara, a popular marketing executive from Grosse Pointe Park, and the kinky details of her husband's lifestyle, have captured national attention since she was was strangled in her garage in January 2012 and her body was dumped in an East Side Detroit alley inside her Mercedes SUV.

Bashara, 55, has been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit murder, suborning of perjury during a capital trial, witness intimidation and obstruction of justice.
 
Bashara already is serving a 6- to 20-year sentence after he pleaded guilty in October to trying to hire a furniture store owner to kill Joe Gentz while the St. Clair Shores handyman was in jail.

Gentz pleaded guilty to killing Jane Bashara and was sentenced to 17-28 years in prison. He also has maintained Bashara hired him to commit the murder.

Testimony from seven witnesses Tuesday included these allegations:

* Bashara snorted cocaine in a car near Six Mile and Woodward, started sobbing and suggested to a former tenant that he had his wife killed. Bashara said going through a divorce would cost too much.

* In the months before Jane's death, Bob Bashara called his mistress and sex slave, Rachel Gillett, 1,026 times. He made nearly 500 calls To Gentz, whom he later said he hardly knew.

* Bashara offered that tenant money to call in a fake tip to police to throw them off the trail.
 
* A physician from the medical examiner's office testified Jane Bashara's death was slow and painful. She suffered multiple bruising on her upper body, a crushed windpipe and bleeding in the brain.

* Bashara appeared to cry during the description of his wife's death.

* Despite money problems at times, Jane and Bob Bashara belonged to the Lochmoor Country Club in Grosse Pointe Woods, which is sweet, but not as monied as the County Club of Detroit nearby in Grosse Pointe Farms.
 
Source: http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/6341/five_takeaways_from_bob_bashara_s_court_hearing_tuesday#.Ui_Vfz8pdco

[Darkman]

Re: Jane Bashara -- Deceased 1/24/12



by CuriousPortlander

Preliminary Exam, Day 2 Notes:

Some news channel was showing witness faces; judge said don't do that
Prosecutor wants to add count on firearms for two charges

Witness #7: Dr. Francisco Diaz; Wayne County ME
Jan. 26, 2012: did autopsy on Jane; published report
Cause of death: strangulation
Manner of death: homicide

• Constellation of injuries (head, face,neck, upper chest)
  
• Strangulation and blunt trauma to head; bleeding into brain; trauma upper chest
  
• Exhibit 13: picture of fingers; shows unsightly torn fingernails of right hand
  
• Exhibit 14: photo of face, left side; shows blunt trauma and evidence of strangulation
  
• very large abrasion with large hematoma; from left ear to left chin (6.25 in.)
  also abrasion of more than 3 in on left side of neck
  
• blunt trauma upper chest; extensive bruising
  
• multiple instances of injury
  
• Exhibit 15: side profile, right; rectangular abrasion right chin area; 3/4 of face suffused (congested) from accumulation of blood
  
• Exhibit 16: main injury; trachea was crushed; requires significant force; blunt trauma evidence
  
• Exhibit 17: (missed; sound too choppy); profuse bleeding at scalp from multiple blows
  
• Exhibit 18: photo of brain; extensive bleeding into brain; indicates blunt trauma
  windpipe crushed
  
• multiple petichae - pinpoint bleeding (result of strangulation)
  
• Exhibit 19: larynx (voicebox) - upper portion shows multiple pinpoint hemmorrhages; confluent bleeding
  
• Not a quick and painless death; wasn't instantaneous; as long as 3-4 minutes; extensive trauma from upper chest to top of head
  

Cross-exam:
can't tell how many blows to head except "multiple"

Redirect: Possible injury was caused by a boot

========

Really rough notes (bear with me!):

Witness # 8: Stan Brue (ATF agent) forensics for cell phone analysis

Used penlink software for analysis
Jan 25, 2012; started collecting cell phone data
259,000 call records (Bashara cell/landline) (missed time frame)
Aug 1-Jan 28: top 4 people he called: Robert Fick 652 ; Rachel Gilette 574; 555 to Jane; 472 to Joe Gentz; 203 Rachel's office (all from cell)
landline/cell combined: Rachel 1026; 775 to Jane's cell/BB home; 652 to Fick; 472 to Joe Gentz
Gentz and BB first contacted by cell phone in Sept. 27, 2011
Sept. 27, 2011 - 3 calls from Steve Tibaudo to Joe Gentz
Gentz calls Tibaudo, then calls BB; checks VM, calls Steve T

Sept. 27-30 2011: 9 calls between BB/Joe cell phones; BB initiated 3; Joe 6
Oct: 147 calls: Bob initiated 55; Gentz 92
Nov: 152 calls: Bob __; Joe 57
Dec. 62 calls; BB 20, Joe 42
Jan: 102 calls: BB 62; Joe 35 (36 between 1/21 and 1/24 - BB 33; Joe 3)

1/21: 3 calls; BB 2; Joe 1
1/22: 4 calls; BB 4
1/23: 23 calls; BB 23 (day before murder); last call at 11:06 p.m. to Joe; first call to Joe
1/24: 7 calls; BB 5; Joe 2 (first 4 calls in am - 3 to Joe, 1 to Rachel's home) between 6:24 and 7 something a.m.
of all calls, none before 8 am until 1/23/24; 10 were before 8 a.m.
1/25: call pattern changes dramatically
12 calls between 1/25 and 1/30; Joe initiated 10
1/25: 3:40 Joe called BB; 1 min
1/26: Nancy B's phone called Joe ; 1 min 22 secs; only instance of Nancy's phone calling Gentz
1/29: BB called Joe; 1 min 17 secs
Dec. 26 2011 - Jan - BB calls indicate location as South Carolina
1/12 - 1/15 - BB calls from Eugene Oregon, SLC, Utah

Gentz records
12/10/11: received BB call 5:07 4 min. 29 secs
next 5 were text msgs to 302 area code

Attorneys arguing that just because texts were sent from Joe's phone doesn't mean Joe sent them; overruled
1/24 9 p.m. to 9 am 1/25: Jane's phone near where she was found; received 91 calls; no outgoing; only 4 made by BB home phone; 2 by BB cell phone (far less than he claimed)

Rachel's phone
1026 calls between BB (didn't catch time period)
1/31 - 6/19 - only 12
1/24 9 pm: 2 outgoing BB to Rachel
9:24, 9:27 pm

Oregon
541 area code
288 calls Nov. 28 - 1/31/12
2/2/12 - 2/17: 23 calls
48 calls between BB home /Oregon

text msgs with Oregon
1/19: 3 incoming to BB
8:45 a.m. good morning sir; in living room with my son
2:30: hi sir
9:56 pm: home sir

1/20:
8:29 incoming: good morning sir
8:31 I'm fine sir

outgoing to 541:
12:03: kneel and know you are mine
12:24 you can but feel my whip

1/21/12
9:24 incoming: good morning sir

1/23 incoming 8:39: good morning sir

9:44: I'm home, sir

1/24: more of the same

Sept 7 - Dec. 16
34 calls BB / Tibaudo
12 initiated by BB

June 18 - 25 (solicitation)
30 calls; 27 initiated by BB

Paul Monroe (who's he?)
123 calls; BB initiated 65; Paul 58 (missed dates)

Nancy's phone/Paul
Apr. 27 12 july 29, 12 monroe's home/cell
28 calls to John Gifford (PI): 14 by each

monroe's phone was located near his home
6/20/13: BB phone hitting off that sector

tower frequency analysis

home sector was tower 994, sector 1
Jane: Home sector same
body discovery site:
Joe's phone in body discovery site: previous to 1/24
Robert Fick had previous activity in body discovery sector

========

Witness #9: Rebecca Foitone (sp?) Law Enforcement (also has rental property in Grosse Point; 2426 Wayburn duplex since 91)

• upper flat was vacant in fall 2011
  
• reached out to BB to help find tenant
  
• BB introduced her to Joe Gentz on Oct. 8, 2011
  
• BB described Joe: previous residence for 9 years; single dad; trying to get custody of daughter; neat and clean; known for a long time; handy
  
• witness asked Gentz why he was leaving previous apartment, but BB answered
  
• income on rental app was only $1000/mo.; rental was $750
  
• BB got agitated; raised his voice; personally vouched for him
  
• she expressed concern; Gentz said getting also $1200/mo from disability
  
• worked in pyschiatric field before LE; realized Gentz had diminished IQ/disability based on speech, lack of eye contact; not afraid of him at all
  
• BB seems very much in control of situation; Gentz; money
  
• rented upper flat to Gentz
  
• met BB and Joe there later
  
• BB typed up standard lease; exchange keys/deposit
  
• BB had receipt book with carbons; cash; BB gave her $1000 in $100 bills
  
• BB produced receipt
  
• gave keys to Gentz
  
• prorated for partial month of Oct.
  
• next contact with Joe/BB only by phone
  
• BB (Nov) called; not received payment for finding of tenant; she said she had not received a bill
  
• BB (Dec?) called; not received payment; still no bill
  
• Joe (Dec); hadn't received rent; he said he was going to come into some money; SSI had stopped; expected check for $5K; $3K expected tax return
  
• Feb. 8, 2012: BB called her; she saw breaking news about BB being served with search warrant; police were following him when he called her
  
• he needed to change utilities out of his name
  
• She had told Gentz he needed to change utilities out of her name
  she was puzzled why utilities were in BB's name
  
• BB wanted her to change gas from his name to her name ASAP
  
• BB said elec. had been turned off Jan. 12; she was suspicious
  
• She said no way would she do that
  
• He became very agitated
  
• he had utilities in his name since Oct.
  
• BB called again on Feb. 21; same conversation; called from diff. #; told him never to call again; he became agitated again; "I just lost my wife"
  
• Spoke to Mr. Vallante (Bob's attorney)
  
• Defense has no questions for this witness
  

========

Witness #10: (missed his name); works at liquor store

• Joe came in to his store and asked him to cash a check
  
• Check deposited
  
• Check bounced
  
• Check from Bob's company? (Sorry; missed some of this)
  

Witness 11: Steven Tibaudo; furniture/applicance store owner; sold applicances and made deliveries to Bashara properties

• Fall, 2011: got a call from a friend, Roy Lawson (have similar dogs)
  
• Roy had a problem; needed Steve's help
  
• Roy showed up with Joe Gentz; Joe's the one with the problem
  
• timeframe: Sept/Oct, 2011
  
• made plans to go look at issues with Joe's furniture (Bob owned the building; Joe was being evicted)
  
• Witness called Bob to find out if he owned the building; asked for accommodation for Joe
  
• Bob said he didn't own that building
  
• Suggested Bob move Joe to one of his buildings; Bob was receptive to idea
  
• Joe stopped in to say thanks for connecting him with Bob
  
• Went to apartment on Jefferson to help him move furniture
  
• Before all this (August?), Bob wanted to talk to Steve in private
  
• Took Steve outside
  
• Bob had tenant that was "making my life hell"
  
• wanted him run over or T-boned
  
• "I got two cop buddies that can take care of that for you"
  
• Bob called him (Nov 2011) and asked him if he could get insulin because elderly tenant needed insulin that was thrown away in a broken fridge
  
• Went to the Hard Luck the Friday after the murder and found out Jane was murdered; heard Joe was a suspect
  
• June 2012 Bob came to his store looking for him; Bob left msgs for Steve
  
• Police had told Steve to notify them if Bob approached him again
  
• 2nd/3rd week in June, Steve called him back after contacting police
  
• Bob said refridgerators Steve had sold wasn't working; Bob was holding payment
  
• Steve brought Bob another refridge; took the one away (but Steve said it didn't belong to him)
  
• Steve was wired by police
  
• Bob said he was having problems with Gentz at competancy hearing and asked if he could have something done to Gentz
  
• Steve said yes, he could help
  
• Bob stopped by store a day or two later; Steve had different recording device
  
• Bob asked Steve if Joe could be "taken out"; Steve said yes, if the price was right
  
• Bob asked if Steve was wearing a wire; padded Steve down twice
  
• Steve said he wasn't wearing a wire (against his religion because he's Sicilian...lol)
  
• Steve said he needed $20K
  
• Steve showed Bob he wasn't wearing wire; he had a remote recording device in his pocket
  
• Bob gave Steve $2K in $100 bills
  
• Steve wrote receipt; $2K down, $18K due
  
• Bob refused to sign it
  
• Wrote another receipt for $2K for broken refridgerator; Bob signed
  
• Pictures of Bob and Steve talking, Bob's vehicle
  
• Bob said if they find Joe G. competant to stand trial, it was all over for him
  
• "If you're wearing a wire, just shoot me now"
  
• They played the recordings, but they were hard to hear
  
• Bob paid Steve $2K
  
• Steve had put Det.'s phone number in his cell phone
  
• Bob wanted to know who Steve was on phone with (he was calling Det)
  
• Bob looked through Steve's phone; Bob went nuts when he saw Det.'s number; Steve made excuses
  
• Bob came back again and started looking through other phone (work phone?)
  
• Bob was arrested that evening
  
• In Oct. 2012, Steve learned that Bob had plead guilty to solicitation for murder
  

Defense had no questions for this witness (oops, they showed his face!)

Witness 12: Paul Munroe; tenant of Bashara 2007 for about 4 years (actually stayed with April, his girlfriend; her name was on the lease)

• Told Bob he had been involved in criminal activity in the past
  
• He and Bob formed friendship
  
• Accompanied Bob to purchase cocaine!
  
• Bob had him calling in false tips!
  
• Bob took witness down to Griem's office (Bob wanted him to sign statement about false tips; he didn't sign)
  
• Bob offered him money to make false tips
  
• Bob called witness in June? to meet at a gas station to purchase cocaine
  
• Bob patted witness down to see if he was wearing a wire
  
• Witness got cocaine; Bob ingested it in front of witness!
  
• Bob began to cry; told witness he had Joe kill his wife!
  
• Bob said going through divorce was like losing money; "I could lose a lot; can't lose anything"
  
• Bob said he didn't want to do it, but he couldn't lose money in a divorce
  
• Bob asked witness to give some documentation to police; affidavit that two other people were involved in the murder: April Montgomery (witness' ex girlfriend; she owed him money) (didn't catch name of other person); witness wouldn't sign
  
• Police found this witness; he didn't want to get involved, so wasn't talking
  
• Was confronted with phone records; came clean then
  

Cross-exam:

• questioning about cocaine
  
• Munroe purchased cocaine; gave it to Bob (didn't sell it to Bob)
  
• Happened more than once
  
• Another guy started dating Mr. Munroe's girlfriend after Munroe had moved out
  
• First time he gave Bob cocaine was in April/May 2012 (one time Bob asked for it; another time, witness offered it to Bob)
  
• Witness gave Bob 50 grams!
  
• 2nd time, gave Bob less (doesn't know how much)
  
• Someone gave witness the coke as a favor
  
• Witness knew he was committing a felony, but wasn't concerned about it
  
• Witness did not use the coke; just gave it to Bob
  
• Witness convicted of a felony longer ago than 10 years ago (so can't be questioned about it)
  
• Cocaine was in a ziplock bag; Bob used finger to snort it
  
• Witness spent about an hour sitting with Bob in Bob's car
  
• Witness looking through 11/19/12, 11/15/12 statements he gave to police
  
• Signed as accurate at that time
  
• Another statement was given July 10, 2013
  
• Did witness recall being asked whether Bob made a confession to you? Yes.
  
• Bob confessed in April/May, 2012
  
• Bob offered him $2K; only paid him $89 (for making false statements)
  

Re-cross:
Doesn't recall when he got the $89; upset he never got the rest of the money

Re-direct:

• Verifying phone contacts with Bob on 6/20; phone records don't lie; so timeframe of confession was really June
  
• He was promised $2K by Bob for make a statement to police
  
• He received $89 from Bob; to make tickets? go away; would get $2K if he made statement to police accusing April
  
• Witness saw Bob buy cocaine from more than one other person; paid transactions
  
• Bob called him 65 times
  
• Bob was having his investigator calling this witness
  

Witness #13: Joy Jolly (Seriously?) Knows Bob since 2000; used to live in same area

• Met Bob and Jane at some club (Lackmore?); children similar ages
  
• Last saw Jane in Sept. 2010 at Michigan game
  
• Was selling her parent's home in Grosse Point Shores
  
• Was there during a showing of the house
  
• She saw Bob there with a realtor and another woman (not Jane)
  
• Later saw Rachel Gilette on TV after Jane was murdered realized that's who was with Bob that day
  
• Bob said he was helping a friend that needed to find a house
  
• Called Bob next morning; left message (missed why; something about something Bob had said)
  
• Bob showed up at her house that day, alone
  
• Bob offered help moving
  
• She asked him who the woman was; just a friend
  
• Jim Wilson is her ex-husband; Jan. 25, 2012; received text from Jim re: murder of Jane
  
• Talked to Jane about relationship with witness' sister
  
• Jane told her she had a close sister but that they no longer spoke because Bob wasn't "clean"
  
• Her ex was good friends with Bob (since 2000); went on social trips
  
• Ex now lives in FL (moved in 2009)
  

Witness #14: Robert Fick; worked for Bob as maintenance guy; worked at Bob's apartment building; still lives there; became maintenance guy there

• Also worked at other rental properties as well as Middlesex home (about 4 times there)
  
• Worked on Carpet, painting, plumbing, jack of all trades
  
• Ralph Lee was buddy who also did maintenance for Bob
  
• Primary source of income was this maintenance work; Bob paid him; didn't barter for rent
  
• He saw news that Jane was murdered
  
• Next spoke to Bob the next day after he found out; went to Bob's to do work at his house about a month later; they spoke daily
  
• Bob told witness to not mention Rachel Gilette to police
  
• He lied to police; was afraid Bob was going to evict him or fire him
  
• Bob wanted to evict another tenant for having a big mouth, but that person moved out on their own
  
• Bob asked to use witness' phone; Bob went for walk; witness looked at phone; # Bob called was erased
  
• Fick called Bob to say Cadillac was being confiscated
  
• Bob asked Mr. Fick if he knew any tenants who were talking to police
  
• He said Bob never talked to him about Gentz
  

[Darkman]

Re: Jane Bashara -- Deceased 1/24/12



by CuriousPortlander

Bob Bashara Preliminary Exam - Day 3

Witness # 14: Mr Fick, continued

• he told Bob that he was going to give a statement, even though the subpoena was confidential
  
• Bob paid him the money owed when Fick said he'd testify
  
• May 9, when testified, he lied because Bob asked him to lie; he was afraid of Bob
  
• June 20 testimony; told the truth about Bob asking him to lie about Rachel
  

Cross:
did Bob later tell you to tell the truth - yes

========

Witness # 15: Steven Virgona; met Joe Gentz back in high school (29 years ago); reconnected with Joe in 2008/9; became friends

• Fall 2011 near Oct: friend of Gentz
  
• aware he was trying to get a new apartment; went with Joe to rent
  
• had not met Bob before then
  
• After Joe rented apt., witness went back to apt. with Joe
  
• Discussion occurred about utilities between Joe and Bob; witness was there
  
• Late Oct, early Nov: Joe and witness had a conversation
  
• Joe asked if witness wanted to make money $2K - $5K- doing a hit and run; asked him again
  
• witness said no way
  
• Sometime later, phone conv. with Joe; Joe said Bob wanted a hit-and-run on his wife for $5K
  
• witness said he wanted nothing to do with it
  
• Next day, witness called Joe; Joe said he was just joking; don't worry about it
  
• End of Oct/early Nov; Joe wanted to get insulin for Bob; then dropped the subject
  
• Joe also at one time brought up carjacking
  

Cross:

• attorney trying to impeach his testimony
  
• witness provided two written statements
  
• Gave Feb. 13, 2012 statement
  
• lived with Joe for 3-4 months in 2010 or 2011
  
• found Joe to be excitable guy? - objection relevance; sustained
  
• was there of his own free will to make statement; was trying to tell them everything he knew
  
• Joe told him that hit-and-run target worked downtown (didn't know it was Jane); what time they got off; guy named Bob wanted to have this done to Jane
  
• Attorney is asking if he put those details into his statement; no, he didn't; only answered the questions asked; didn't volunteer more; didn't mention Jane, work location or hours, insulin, etc.; was trying to help his friend
  
• Added details during police report
  

Re-direct
clarification on testimony; told about insulin later


Re-cross

• focus at the time was who murdered Jane; yes; was trying to cooperate
  
• told about hit-and-run, but they didn't write it down
  
• no other details in statement
  

Discussion on submitting statements to show conspiracy; defense objects; overruled; admitted

========

Witness 16: Jessica Bashara, Bob and Jane's daughter

• Bob told her Bob and Jane were in counseling (fall 2010); things not going well in marriage
  
• Bob said Jane was very critical of him
  
• She caught him using alt.com and viewing porn multiple times; source of friction in family
  
• Upset her and Jane; Bob said he had stopped using website; Jane found out he was still using it
  
• She found text msgs on his phone (get on your knees...)
  
• Jane confronted Bob; Bob deleted msgs but said they never existed; lied to her face
  
• Discussing financial situation
  
• Jan. 24, 2012 4:10 pm she was talking to Jane who was driving home (23 mins.)
  
• Jane said on her way home; driving down Jefferson; discussing plans; Jane was almost home; Jane said she'd call witness later so she could write something down (she was driving)
  
• Bob called her later because Jane hadn't come home yet; found it odd that he was concerned
  
• Jan. 25 - Bob told her Jane never came home that night; witness started calling hotels to see if she had checked into one; thought Jane might have needed space from Bob
  
• Bob told her to skip class; later Bob called to say Jane was dead
  
• never heard Joe's name before the murder; never saw him doing work at Middlesex house
  
• Bob told multiple stories; random carjacking story came out before affairs surfaced
  
• When affair came out, Bob changed story to Joe: allowed Joe to do work at rental props, Joe thought he was owed money and came to house and got into dispute with Jane, hence murder
  
• Bob said Joe was threatening him (needed money)
  
• Bob said he was at rental properties when the murder occurred
  
• Weeks later (after affair surfaced and after he was named POI) he said he stopped by the house to get keys
  
• Bob always carried big ring of keys out of habit
  
• Bob gave press conference; his story about having an affair changed over time
  
• Denied at first; admitted later yes, with a woman named Rachel, but it wasn't sexual
  
• She saw card with Bob's handwriting with sexual references; confronted Bob
  
• Bob still denied sex because he wasn't physically capable; but other ways to have it, even though he denied it
  
• Discussing Jane's ring, which went missing; witness used to borrow Jane's jewelry, so she didn't mention it's missing because she was afraid she had lost it
  
• Bob said he put the ring in a drawer for a year; he gave it to Rachel; Rachel wanted to return it to witness; but Bob never gave it back to daughter
  
• Jane had wedding ring with one large stone (between 2 and 3 carets; other diamonds that added up to 5 carets; worth $7K)
  
• She knew ring was missing before murder; Jane knew it was missing; Bob "found" it after murder under dresser)
  
• Bob said he hired PIs; he was hoping they would find info to find murderer; Bob said they found credible leads, POIs
  
• Found out Rachel had filed PPO against Bob
  
• Before affair came out, Bob never mentioned that Joe had come to the house
  

Cross: No questions

========

Witness 17: William Schatz; lived in one of Bob's rentals

• first lived upstairs; moved downstairs because wife was diabetic and couldn't do stairs
  
• contacted Bob and explained reason (wife diabetic); Bob charged him for the move (couple hundred more); witness paid by doing jobs around the complex; paid it off that way
  
• noticed yellowish Cadillac in lot owned by Bob; Bob had asked if he knew anyone that wanted to buy it for $4K
  
• Nov. 2011, Bob came over and asked for diabetic needles and insulin for his mom; witness' wife uses pills, not insulin or needles
  
• new tenant arrived in early 2012; witness talked to her
  
• Bob came to witness to shut his mouth or he would evict him
  
• Knew Bob to have a hot temper
  
• About a week after Jane died, witness offered condolences; Bob said he didn't kill her; had nothing to do with it
  
• Bob invited witness to a BBQ; met Rachel; witness wondered why Bob was with another woman when he was married
  
• Witness composed letter with Stephanie (asked by Bob)
  
• Was told to say what Bob wanted him to say, he said he'd evict witness
  
• He signed the letter
  
• Objection to relevance of letter; goes to witness intimidation; overruled
  
• Had discussion with Bob in laundry room; then Tommy (lived upstairs) came in; closed door
  
• Tommy said to back off Bob; he had nothing to do with it; leave Bob alone
  
• Bob agreed with what Tommy said
  
• Tommy said quit talking to police, detectives
  
• Witness was scared of both of them - petrified
  
• Lawyer gave witness picture of Tommy, witness said OMG! Yes, that's him
  

No cross questions

========

Witness 18: Gregory Barraco; knows Joe for a long time

• hung out with Joe and Steve Virgona
  
• Between Nov. and Christmas 2011; Joe asked if this witness would help him hurt someone in Grosse Point; Joe said he was being paid $5K; wanted to hit her with a big car
  
• He mentioned it was Bob that wanted to hurt this person
  
• witness said he didn't want to hear this; wanted nothing to do with it
  
• Joe asked him three times on separate occasions; same response each time; no
  
• never heard Bob's last name
  
• End of Jan. 2012, witness was asked to pick up Joe from McDonalds (around 10:30 p.m.) (Joe called 5-6 times)
  
• Joe sounded nervous; was in a hurry to be picked up
  
• witness had been to McDonalds earlier with a friend and they had left witness' car there
  
• went back to McDonalds
  
• Joe was pacing and smoking nervously; he was upset; talking on phone; he said on phone that he was going away for about 20 years; Joe had a fresh scratch on his face
  
• Friend gave Joe the ride he needed; witness left
  

Cross:

• showed witness statement he had made; first page not his signature, but the rest of the pages do have his signature
  
• Feb 28, 2012 statement given; Joe was already under arrest
  
• considered himself Joe's friend
  
• nothing significant discussed during this cross
  

Witness #19: Laurie Callaway; employed at St. Vincent de Paul

• Jan. 26th someone came in and gave her an envelope for Joe for some painting work he had done, who was volunteering/working there
  
• Pointed out Bob as that person
  
• Witness gave Joe that envelope; never looked inside
  

No cross questions

========

Witness #20: Rachel Gillette; Bob's former mistress

• Knew him as "Master Bob"
  
• She was known as Bella (on alt.com)
  
• Knows person known as obedient slave; and Sir Patrick (Patrick Web)
  
• First met Bob Aug. 2008; met online on alt.com
  
• alt.com = Alternative Lifestyle; BDSM
  
• talked on phone and emailed before dating
  
• went to Bob's sex dungeon
  
• relationship turned intimate
  
• Bob suffered from erectile dysfunction; still intimate through other means
  
• Engaged in breath play; choking with hands around throat
  

COURTHOUSE LOST POWER: Judge King said when they resume, they will go back over her testimony to refresh everyone's memory

TO BE CONTINUED...

*** Hearing over for today; will resume at 9 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning.

[Darkman]

Power outage disrupts Bashara case
 
Posted: 09/11/2013
Last Updated: 2 hours and 33 minutes ago

 
(WXYZ) - UPDATE: A power outage downtown has disrupted testimony in the Bob Bashara preliminary hearing. The Frank Murphy Hall of Justice is being evacuated until the situation is resolved.
 
Read more: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/wayne_county/live-preliminary-exam-testimony-continues-for-bob-bashara-in-first-degree-murder-case-of-wife-jane
 
Rachel Gillett was on the stand when the power went out.

[Darkman]

Videos:

Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 11. Day 3. Part 1 - Bob Bashara's Daughter Takes Stand



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP06iMbr1mw

-----------

Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 11. Day 3. Part 2



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_KSXS9aCoc

-----------

Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 11. Day 3. Part 3 - Rachel Gillett on the stand - Court done for today. Power outage



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EcrFGyMTz0

-----------

Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 11. Day 3. Part 4 - After court stopped for day due to power outage in court building



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXNYMTfY6LM

[Darkman]

Re: Jane Bashara -- Deceased 1/24/12



by CuriousPortlander

Bashara Preliminary Exam - Day 4


Witness #20: Rachel Gillett; Bob's former mistress; continued

• Entered a master/slave relationship
  
• one partner is more dominant/one more submissive
  
• Bob is extremely dominant
  
• She's very passive, so submissive
  
• She referred to Bob as Master in writing, not in person
  
• Used uppercase to refer to Master, lowercase for her; in blogs and online
  
• Bob said he was a widower
  
• She suspected he wasn't being truthful; confronted him; said he wasn't widower, but that they were separated
  
• Before suspicion, he told her his wife had been deceased for a few years; raising his teenage daughter by himself, son in college
  
• After confrontation, said separated for a couple of years but didn't post that; widower would get more women
  
• Then said they both lived in the same house; no sex for years; did nothing together; led separate lives; stayed together for kids
  
• Told her he was living in the guest room (sep. bedrooms)
  
• She described to a friend that Bob described feelings of emasculation (he didn't use that word)
  
• Aug 2009 moved to property owned by Bob on Mack Ave.; apt over dungeon
  
• Saw Bob in dungeon about 2x/week
  
• Jan. 1 2009, she sent him an email saying she wanted to break things off; "you were wrong to lie to me; sad to know you would do it again; I'm not the other woman type; all a fantasy; holidays helped to wake me up; has to end here
  
• Bob responded with "slave r, no, no, no; you are so wrong; damn it, I love you. We are perfect for each other...I will not let you go. I want you, period..."
  
• Bob thought someone named Mike was telling her to get out of the relationship; contacted Mike to say leave Rachel alone (Bob's shaking his head)
  
• She decided to stay in relationship, but not because of this email
  
• Bob had a timeline/plan; when Jessica graduated HS they would divorce
  
• Bob and Rachel went to Reformatory to participate in BDSM activities; met Patrick
  
• 2010; received a ring; Bob said it was his great-aunt's that he inherited; indicated it was a promise ring
  
• He tried to put it on her left ring finger; she wouldn't let him do that until he was free (Rachel crying while looking at pix of ring)
  
• He gave her a necklace; said made from studs of father's tuxedo; had made into necklace for her
  
• Aug 2010 moved from Bob's apt. to another one on St. Claire St.
  
• Early summer 2010; Bob needed to sell property on Catchu (sp?); one of rental properties; co-owned with Jane; story changed to sell, but put into a short sale; property got transferred to Rachel; Bob mother loaned him the money; he didn't tell Jane he transferred the property to Rachel
  
• June 17, 2010, Rachel sent another email to break off the relationship; partly because he's still married; partly because she's so excluded
  
• Bob had a key to her apt; would show up late at night and cry and beg; would show up at her work and bring flowers; called her children!
  
• Bob called her kids because he wanted them to know he was in love with Rachel
  
• Bob would sit outside her house in lawn chair, blocking her door, crying; talking very loud
  
• Bob: "we cannot let it go"; ready to make a life-changing event for us! I will not release you; I am your man, you are my woman"
  
• Rachel assumed "event" was divorce
  
• Rachel was concerned about having a life with Bob due to financial issues (he spent a lot of money; living beyond his means; trouble with creditors for rentals (watch Bob's fingers on video; looks like he's giving her the finger))
  
• Rachel had found other communications between Bob with other women; upset because he's married, and now cheating on her with other women; sent email to break up
  
• Oct. 11, 2010: sent Bob email: finances concern (loss of Jane's income if divorced would adversely affect his lifestyle)
  
• Bob responds: has been accustomed to the best in life; mom is most generous; I'd rather be poor and happy; I am your Master; regarding loss of Jane's income - "oh well"
  
• Rachel didn't want to be a part of his divorce; wanted him to work that out without her in his life
  
• Bob responded: You must fully trust me; I cannot cease to be with you...I am the Master, and if you are my slave, you must obey me...kneel before me...you are my love and I want you always"
  
• Bob had significant contact with Rachel's friends and family
  
• 2008 - Bob met her daughter; 2009 Bob went to her niece's wedding; several work functions, her boss' house for parties; introduced himself as her boyfriend; came to her work very often; talked to all her co-workers; Dec. 2011 Bob went to her daughter's wedding in SCarolina
  
• 2010 - promised to spend New Year's Eve with her; she was going to SC to see daughter; he flew down there to be with her
  
• 2011 - Both gone for 10-11 days for her daughter's wedding
  
• 2011 Rachel unhappy that he's still married; emailed him in March saying so
  
• Bob responds: My slave, ...my situation is secondary to what we have, and yet ending soon...I want you for the rest of my life...soon, my slave, soon...
  
• In Mar, 2011, she had told Bob she wanted him to get divorced soon
  
• Summer 2011, Bob tells her that divorce was final in May!!! after she tried to break up with him again
  
• Rachel didn't ask for proof at that time
  
• June 3, 2011 IM Chat: Now that I'm divorced...she says he lied to her and his wife, but she still believed him
  
• Bob made decision to go house-hunting with her; enticement for her to stay in relationship
  
• Casual driving around looking at for sale signs
  
• Fall 2011 got a real estate agent
  
• Every time she tried to break up, he sent her long romantic emails
  
• July 2011 Bob sent email: something to share with you...we've been together for almost 3 years...Sept I will be ready to move out...(wanted her to leave her job and do marketing for his United business)...(plans to sell house on Middlesex)...you would serve me as my submissive, my slave...
  
• Bob used to say that Rachel was the one pushing for a life together, but it was him
  
• They had talked on and off about a "poly" - 3 or more people in a relationship (had talked about another woman or another man); Rachel thought that would stop him from cheating
  
• Promised he would stop cheating if there was a poly
  
• Why would you want to stay with him? I can't answer that; she loved him that much
  
• Bob's July email: feel badly the timeline has not been sooner; will now stop the lying...
  
• He painted a good picture of his vision for them; continued house hunt
  
• July 16, Bob sent email because she wouldn't meet with him after last email: set up acct on alt to find her...you are mine...the wait is over...I love you...I only want you, period, no one else...have always put you first...you're a wonderful slave girl to me...I ask you for one more chance...I truly love you...
  
• Rachel decided to stay and go house-hunting
  
• Found house; made offer; had inspection, but dropped it due to issues
  
• Found house at 1011 Kensington; closing date changed several times (early Dec, then late Dec. then early Jan, final date was Jan. 27, 2012!!! (3 days after murder!)
  
• Rachel asked to see his divorce papers; Bob said he couldn't find them; might have to get copy from lawyer; next time she asked, lawyer was on vacation; asked why not get Jane's copy; he never responded
  
• 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks together; 15-20 contacts a day; helped him work on his properties
  
• Knew about Ralph Lee, Bob Fick (ponytail Bob), Tommy the plumber used for maintenance work; before the murder, Rachel never heard the name Joe Gentz
  
• weekend of Jan. 20th before murder: went to BDSM event with Bob; also went to paint store for samples for their house on Kensington; Rachel became concerned: story for financing the house changed a couple of times (sell Middlesex and use his half; then decided to borrow full amt from his mother). She demanded to see divorce papers; said she wouldn't move and change her life without proof.
  
• On Jan. 20, 2012, she emailed Bob about not being able to trust him and his lies; demanded proof of divorce; cannot take your word for it anymore
  
• Rachel found out he lied about never having been to Hawaii
  
• She doesn't think he ever responded to that email
  
• Jan. 24, 2012: she went to work (he called her every morning, including that one); Bob came down there for lunch; called her several times that day
  
• Back up: they had been emailing woman from alt for a poly relationship (Janet from Oregon); in Jan, when they returned from daughter's wedding, Bob went to Oregon to meet her
  
• Back to 24th: talked to him several times in afternoon; Bob indicates later that his wife is missing
  
• Jan. 25, before Jane's body had been found; Bob called her at 1 a.m.; very distraught that Jane was missing; he was concerned about being blamed for her disappearance; he gave her specific instructions to contact Janet (slave J) and tell her not to text or call him, wanted to keep his phone records "clean", which she did
  
• She said: "Just because you're having an affair doesn't make you a murderer" - this was before Jane's body had been found! Told him that more than once
  
• Bob called her at work around 8:30; Jane still missing; didn't know what had happened
  
• After Jane's body was found, he asked Rachel to come to his house; she declined as inappropriate
  
• Bob called throughout the day; at some point he started using his mother's cell
  
• Asked her to go to candlelight vigil; she went; hugged Bob there
  
• At one time, Rachel had Bob's silver pickup truck (July/Aug 2011 through March 2012)
  
• Bob said someone would come to borrow truck and to leave keys under mat
  
• Rachel first heard about Joe Gentz around Jan. 30 when it hit the news (hadn't heard about Joe from Bob)
  
• Rachel went to police on Jan. 28th; gave verbal statement; wrote statement on 30th as follow-up; never mentioned poly in OR
  
• Went back on Feb. 6 and gave more statements; just mentions Bob went to Oregon (no mention of Janet)
  
• Received multiple greeting cards from Bob
  
• Told Bob on several occasions that she didn't want him to contact her again
  
• Around March 14th, she got a PPO against him (she warned him in advance she'd get one if he didn't leave her alone)
  
• Kept asking her to meet him
  
• Power and her landline was supposed to be turned on in Kensington house the Monday after closing (week after Jane was murdered?)
  

End of Direct - Phew!!!

Court in recess for lunch until 1:30

========

Witness 20: Rachel Gillett; Bob's former mistress; continued

Judge: appears to be some sort of non-verbal communication between defendant and witness; that will not be tolerated!

Cross-exam:

• BDSM lifestyle - her choice
  
• Oct. 2008 suspected he was not a widow
  
• realized she was being strung along by Bob
  
• Jessica was supposed to graduate in 2010; that's when she expected divorce
  
• only met kids once when they passed in a restaurant; Bob introduced her as a tenant (true, but she was also his girlfriend)
  
• also met his mother at a charity event; same intro
  
• she was aware he was hiding his relationship with her
  
• she believed when he said he had already been divorced
  
• Attorney is pointing out how she kept staying in the relationship; even after threatening to end it if he didn't prove divorce, they still went to look for paint
  
• none of conversations on the 24th were secretive in nature
  
• After the 24th, Bob did talk about some crazy guy, but didn't mention Joe's name
  
• She voluntarily went to the police on Jan. 28th
  
• She gave the police the papers on the house on the 28th
  
  Redirect:
  
• her lawyer did not twist her arm to get a PPO; she wanted it
  

Witness 21: Melinda Jackson, Michigan State Police

feed froze; missed beginning

• Processes crime scenes as well as evidence
  
• Media was already present when she arrived at crime scene
  
• focused on garage; also collected hair brush for known DNA sample from a bathroom
  
• She didn't collect anything else for DNA
  
• No car in garage
  
• She drew a sketch at a later date, to scale
  
• Going through sketch of garage, and pictures of evidence locations
  
• Two blood stains observable by the naked eye; inside of garage door; tested positive
  
• A third spot was found; applied Luminol; possibly blood
  
• Collected samples; sent to lab for analysis
  
• Processed some fingernail clippings she received from victim; one nail from left hand clipping that had reddish brown coloring; shows blood
  
• Processed a pair of boots; didn't detect presence of blood; checked for celular material and swabbed inside to identify who was wearing the boots
  

No cross questions.

========

Witness 22: Andrea Young: Michigan State Police; Expert in forensic biology

• processes crime scenes, DNA evidence
  
• explaining DNA processing; looks at 16 different locations on the DNA
  
• Had known samples from Jane, Bob, Joe
  
• Compared those to evidence
  
• Blood from garage floor: 3 donors: major is Jane; Bob can't be excluded; Joe is excluded!
  
• can do a process YSTR testing; only looks at male DNA
  
• results of fingernail clipping (right hand); no foreign DNA
  
• results of fingernail clipping (left): mixture: Jane and Joe
  
• Blood from clipped nails: Jane cannot be excluded; Joe cannot be excluded
  
• Boots: at least 3 donors; major is Joe; Jane and Bob excluded
  
• Boot swabs: 3 donors; major is Joe; Bob could be one of the contributors
  
• missed last item
  

No cross questions

========

Witness 23: Janet Leehmann (Slave J from Oregon)

• met on alt.com
  
• met as Master Bob (MB's Bella); Bella later ID'ed as Rachel
  
• looking for two women to share house with him in the future
  
• Bob asked her to change her screen name (thinks it was to MasterSlaveforYou)
  
• Bob sent email to other men to say she was his and off limits
  
• Said Bob said he had been divorced for years
  
• Said lawyers told him to stay in house
  
• Said he and Rachel had been together for 4 years
  
• Said it had been 7 years since he had had sex with his wife; stopped because he ejaculated in her mouth and she hated it and they stopped having sex because of that
  
• Bob told her he felt emasculated by Jane
  
• Bob referred to Jane as "her" or "the ex-wife"; never used her name
  
• Dec - Bob sent her Olive Garden gift card; dirty T-shirt with his scent; he wanted her to sleep in it so she could feel him; chain for wrist indicating he owned her; two letters
  
• leather strap to wear around wrist; not to wear it on neck until he placed it there; my slave
  
• another letter describing T-shirt; you're mine; I remain Master Bob; your master and man
  
• Bob plans trip to see her; supposed to be Jan. 18-19; first week of Jan. she was getting cold feet; he had family obligations (sister flying in); couldn't be there that week
  
• subject of breath play came up; auto-erotic asphyxiation (sp?); choking; Bob does this to Rachel every night when he tucks her in
  
• Dec. 1, 2011: I can choke Rachel enough to make her woozy; you will be like a kid in a candy shop
  
• Defense objecting to breath play testimony; no evidence Bob was present when Jane was strangled; objection overruled
  
• Bob told her he was buying a house on Kensington; Rachel would be living there, and possibly this witness; May 2012 was planned date for move
  
• She questioned how he'd live with more than 1 woman; he had been living a fake life; wanted to be true to himself and live his real lifestyle
  
• email indicating they would each have their time with him, all together and separately
  
• Bob told her that he told his family that it would be their last holiday with him, and that he was moving on
  
• Jessica was very upset; wife wasn't happy
  
• Bob went to Oregon Jan. 10-11
  
• Bob IM'ed before trip "soon you will feel my strength and passion"
  
• Bob and she were intimate; not normal sex; "it doesn't work"; after the fact, he said it had to do with his weight
  
• Engaged in breath play without discussing with her; he came up behind her; she did not consent, she passed out cold!
  
• Went to lunch, disappeared for 20 minutes; he talked to Rachel
  
• While she was making breakfast, he called someone and said I want this done, done this weekend, done before I get home; what the f**k is wrong with you; she asked who he talked to; he said handyman; yelling and angry
  
• Did not plan to see him again after he left
  
• He left a collar (leather); left T-shirt, and a pair of underwear on the floor
  
• He continued to call; Jan. 18; did she know anyone who would rough someone up for money; handyman was trying to extort money from him
  
• Rachel was about to get fired; Bob was so mad at her boss that he wanted someone to beat the boss up
  
• Jan 25 - Bob called from an unknown #; Family emergency here; stop all communication
  
• Rachel contacted her; said Jane was missing; something bad happened; don't contact him
  
• Jan 26 - Bob called J; said guess you heard about my wife; he and the kids are fine; if anyone calls, say we're just friends (asked her to lie for him)
  
• Never heard about Joe before murder
  
• After she heard about Joe in media, Bob said Joe was trying to extort money and thought Joe killed Jane (he called from mom's # so police couldn't track his calls)
  
• He called J agitated and told her to buy Rachel a plane ticket and hide her at cattle ranch in the middle of nowhere; "hide from the courts; are you with me on this?"
  
• He said "they are going to turn state's evidence against him"
  
• She declined
  
• After murder, the three of them (J, Rachel and Bob) were going to go on with their plan
  
• She asked him to stop contacting her
  
• He continued to do so; she got a lawyer to contact him to stop
  
  Cross:
  
• she wrote a timeline for police (after Feb. 6)
  
• Then she was brought there and deposed
  
• Feb. 19th 2012 was when she asked him to stop contacting her
  
• re: overheard phone call with getting the job done; Jan. 18/19 he said he was being harassed by handyman
  
• She said lawyer was confusing her; lawyer said he was confused, too; witness said "no, you're not"; judge admonished her
  
• why would Bob call you in Oregon to ask if you know someone who could rough up his handyman? "That's what I thought!", she said
  
• Bob was there Thursday to Sunday
  
  Re-direct:
  
• Correct dates for visit: Jan. 12 - 15
  
• When she heard him yell at handyman, she was present (he was in Oregon)
  
• convo about roughing someone up was phone call about a week later
  
• she suggested he go to police about harassment; he said he didn't; that she needed to stay out of it
  

Witness 24: Mary Morey (worked at Eastern Market Antiques)

• Met Joe in Fall 2011; met at thrift shop; hired him as laborer at her furniture store (he worked for her part-time from Sept. 2011 - Jan. 2012); she picked him up every day to give ride
  
• Jan. 25, she picked him up to take him to work, and she saw a large sum of money in his hand; he was showing it off; about $800-900
  
• had told her he was expecting some money (that day and the day after)
  
• Jan. 25 they stopped at a cell phone store so Joe could buy a phone; he bought one
  
• He used to have flip phone; this was Blackberry or Android
  
• Joe said he was waiting for a package and was told it had arrived
  

No cross



Witness 25: Patrick Donald Webb (BDSM community)

• Knows Bob; met in 2009 thru Rachel; PW was advertising party; online invite
  
• Bob attended with Rachel (first time he met her)
  
• Party was at frat house in Michigan (first BDSM party PW had)
  
• Bob attended BDSM events with Rachel; at least 5-6 parties
  
• Knew Bob as Master Bob; he was referred to as Sir Patrick; Rachel was known as Rachel at party or little princess
  
• Frat house burned down; looked for other locations; talked to Bob about possible locations
  
• PW lived on 12 acres; Bob suggested putting club in outbuilding on PW's property
  
• Bob offered to pay $20-30K for concrete; PW would pay for the rest; defense objects; relevance; overruled
  
• When money was due, Bob said he was having trouble at home and couldn't pay PW
  
• Bob attended parties there with Rachel, and other women (Rose?)
  
• Bob was concerned about confidentiality (meaning from his wife); talked about him going through a divorce and that he was separated
  
• PW asked how he gets away from wife; he said she doesn't know what he does
  
• He said it would be cheaper to get rid of her; PW thought it was a joke
  
• Bob said one of his neighbors was in the Mafia
  
• Bob was trying to help him save the house; said in Nov/Dec 2011, he'd be coming into some money in a couple of months
  
• The Reformatory was the club PW built
  

No cross

Court in recess until Friday morning, 9 a.m.

[Darkman]

by Woe.be.gone
 
Witness Janet L. from Oregon
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Dang, I missed RG's testimony. I'll have to catch up on that but didn't want to miss any more today.
 
When court resumed at 2:40 p.m Thursday afternoon, Janet Leehmann took the stand. She resides in Oregon.
 
She met Master Bob on his website named Master Bob's Bella (I think that's the name) when searching for an alternative website. She learned later that Bella refers to Rachel Gillet.
MB wanted to find two women to share a house with in the future.
 
MB named JL "Master Slave". He sent an email to other men stating that JL was "off limits" to them.
 
bb told JL that he'd been divorced for many years but his attorney advised him to remain in the family house while his children were around. That had been the situation for the past four years or so.
JB hadn't been interested in sex for at least seven years.
 
(I'm surprised this next comment wasn't called out as hearsay. Is there hearsay in preliminaries?).
JL claims that RG told her that bb explained that he had oral sex with Jane and ejaculated in here mouth.
Jane was disgusted and bb hadn't touched her since that time. (Woe steps away while she collects herself.)
Woe says it seems RG defended bb because RG believed JB emasculated bb. (Of course, this was Jane's fault - NOT!)
 
Per JL, bb never used Jane's name when referring to her but scornfully said "her" or "ex-wife".
 
For Christmas, bb sent JL one of his dirty t-shirts to sleep in so she could feel him. Also included was a neck chain to wear on her wrist to signify that he owned her.
'Slave J - a symbol of my ownership of you. Not to be worn around your neck until I place it there for you.'
(not sure if I captured the exact quote but, if not, close.) "I remain your Master and Man."
 
On January 18 or 19 the in person meeting was scheduled to take place in Oregon.
(An observation - bb is licking his lips while looking at Slave J while she's speaking. We can't see above her waist.
It appears she is wearing a shortish tight reddish knit dress with textured black stockings, yet I see her brightly colored toenails in lime green sandals. All her nails are painted a bright/deep red. She keeps pulling on her skirt while sitting as if she believes she can cover her knees. Oops, she gives up and recrosses her legs while shooting a slight beaver bb's way. No joke!)
 
Moving on to the subject of auto aurotic asphyxiation is what JL thinks its called. Other names are choke you or breath play. bb told JL that he puts RG to sleep everynight with breath play and she loves it. (hearsay?)
JL informs bb that she is almost a breath play virgin. (She's pulling on her skirt hard now - lol!) bb told her that he 'will open to you all of who I am and you will be like a kid in a candy shop.'
 
bb told JL that he was tired of living a fake life and wanted to be true to himself and his lifestyle.
 
Prior to bb meeing JL in person in Oregon, he had to establish that she completely understood his rules about the lifestyle situation he was proposing. Something like bb serves both her and Bella, the relationship between Master Slave and Bella too (?), and both are to serve him (imo primarily). JL answered him, "I understand Sir." and "Thank you Sir." He responded, "Know that I am pleased." This exchange was in an email the lawyer was reading.
 
According to JL, bb informed his family that Christmas 2011 would be the last holiday season he'd be spending with them. He was moving on and they'd just have to deal with it. His daughter was the most upset upon hearing this message from her father. Jane didn't like hearing it either. According to JL not much was mentioned about Rob, bb's son.
 
Sometime in January (dates are confusing; first visit was supposed to take place the 18th or 19th, was changed to the 10th or 11th but actually took place, with bb arriving in Oregon, on January 12th, a Thursday. He departed at 6 a.m. on Sunday the 15th.).
 
bb sent an IM to JL on January 10 at 9:04 a.m. The message was something like 'master slave, soon you will fill me'. Then, something about showing her 'his strength and passion'. When he arrived, he gave JL a new collar to wear.
Unfortunately, despite his heady promises, bb was unable to perform. This, he believed, was due to his excess weight.
 
During his visit a few strange and/or scary events occurred. One was when, with no prior warning, he wrapped his hands around JL's neck from behind. As a result, she passed out cold. After she came to and expressed concern, he admonished her for not warning him she was about to pass out. He told her, "Little girl, I could have hurt you".
 
bb disappeared for longer than what would be expected when sharing a meal in a restaurant. She assumed he was making phone calls during this time. Another time, she overheard him saying into the phone, "I want this done before I get home. WTF is wrong with you?" He was the most agitated during this phone call as usually he appeared even keeled. Since he was speaking to his handyman, JL assumed bb was upset about the installation of a toilet in one of his apartments.
 
After bb left Oregon, JL didn't plan to see him again. He left behind a pair of underwear on the floor (she assumed an oversight), the same old t-shirt and a collar.
 
He called her on the 18th or 19th of January and hung up. Shortly after he called back and asked if she knew anyone who would rough up somebody for money. bb had approached this subject before too when Rachel G. was having trouble at work and feared she was about to be fired. bb wanted somebody to beat up RG's boss.
 
On January 25th, JL received a message from bb; MB here - family emergency - stop all communication immediately.
 
Some other communication (I believe from RG) explained bb's wife missing - something terrible happened - don't call police - police are looking at bb.
 
On the 26th bb called JL. bb said he was fine. JL asked, "How are the children?" bb said, "Fine." She wondered how either him or them could be fine under the circumstances. bb told her if she is contacted to say they're 'best friends'. (camera goes to bb and he's looking all sorrowful with a puppy face expression - have I mentioned I despise this man?)
 
JL heard that Gentz was trying to extort money from bb and that bb thinks JG killed his wife.
 
bb traded phones with his mother so he could make calls that would go undetected. bb had other phones he was using. (camera is on bb while he shakes his head 'no' in denial)
 
bb wanted to bring RG to Oregon to hide her on JL's father's cattle ranch. JL assumed this was to keep the press away from RG but bb explained that it was to keep RG from the courts and asked JL "are you with me?".
JL declined to cooperate.
 
According to JL, bb's mindset was that after this all blows over they would continue business as usual.
 
JL cut off all communication with bb. She changed her numbers, got a lawyer for protection papers, etc.
 
Now bb's lawyer asks JL if she ever wrote down, in her own handwriting, the claims she made today while on the stand. She replied that she emailed a typed timeline to the Gross Point Police shortly after she spoke with them.
She spoke with LE on February 6, 2012; she sent the timeline email shortly thereafter.
JL was deposed in MI on February 18 or 19. February 19 she told bb no more.
Now I can hear someone say 'watch your tone' - camera goes to bb and lawyers and bb is amused and is chuckling. Prior to this, JL asked bb's lawyer to watch his tone when speaking to her.
 
They go over the dates bb visited Oregon with the Prosecution insisting they pin the dates down once and for all. Someone brings out a 2012 calendar and everyone agrees the dates were January 12-15, 2012.
 
The following week, January 18 or 19, bb called JL to ask her if she knew anyone who would be willing to rough somebody up. (Lawyers are laughing.)
JL is asked did she know anyone? JL responds by saying that she knows dental assistants not anyone who roughs people up.
 
At some point bb said to JL, "Let's just leave you out of this".

[Darkman]

Videos:

Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 12. Day 4. Part 1 - Rachel Gillett (Direct Examination)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZLjS_Ceu84

-----------

Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 12. Day 4. Part 2 - Rachel Gillett (End of Direct Examination)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOY1olDJsPs

-----------

Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 12. Day 4. Part 3 - Rachel Gillett (Cross Examination), Janet Leehmann (from Oregon) etc



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4lrdAU0rv4

[Darkman]

by Woe.be.gone
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
I'm adding two tesitmony notes from yesterday afternoon (Sept. 12).
 
Mary Morey of Eastern Market Antiques
 
MM met Gentz in Fall of 2011. She hired him to do labor when needed - two, three or even fours days per week dependent on her needs. The time period was from September 2011 through January 2012, so just under five months.
 
On the days she needed Gentz, she'd pick him up at a thrift store to bring him to work.
 
On January 25, 2012, Gentz revealed a large sum of money, eight to nine hundred dollars. Asked if he was showing the money off and she replied, yes Gentz was showing off the money.
 
Not sure if the same day (think so) - Gentz asked if she'd stop at the cellphone store. She did. He went in and purchased a new phone, either a BB or android type - she's not sure exactly. His old phone was an old flip style type.
 
Something about waiting for a package (I missed the significance of this).
MM said that she was told the package arrived.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Patrick Donald Webb testified Thursday afternoon, September 12.

PW met bb through Rachel G. online in 2009 while PW was advertising a BSM party. Both bb and RG attended.
This was their first party of PW's and was held in Milan(?), Michigan in an old frat house PW used as the venue for his lifestyle BDSM parties. bb always attended with RG. PW believes he saw them at five or six (at least) parties.

RW knew bb because they were both known on the scene as Sir Patrick and Master Bob.
RG was known as Little Princess.

The frat house burned down so PW needed to find a new location.
PW lived on eleven acres but didn't have funds to build a facility.
He needed financing and bb said he would help out by contributing $20,000 to pay for the concrete to lay the foundation (real cost was $30,000). PW agreed to cover the cost of everything above the concrete.
After the concrete was poured, bb reneged on the deal telling PW about his divorce troubles and unavailable finances. Earlier, bb told PW he was good to go ahead with their deal which is why PW went ahead with having the concrete poured.

Rachel and Rose attended parties with bb in the new place.

PW asked bb how he managed to get away from his wife. bb replied, "She doesn't know what I do." PW agreed/felt bb was concerned about confidentiality, separation and divorce. PW didn't put "no weight to it" when listening to bb's comments - just listening to a guy talk about his situation.

Something mentioned about the trouble with the house. bb mentioned he had a neighbor with ties to the mafia. PW asked if bb threatened him.
PW mentioned something about bb getting mad because he was unwilling to turn the music down. Discussion wasn't continued.

November/December 2011 PW trying to save the house and needed money. "The Reformatory" was the name of the unpaid for club (lawyer said "unpaid for club"). PW, "yes".
bb told PW he would be coming into money in a couple of months.
PW never received any money from bb.

[Darkman]

'I lived in Bob's sex basement': Third mistress testifies about businessman accused of having hitman kill his wife so he could start polyamorous BDSM life

• Robert Bashara, 55, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly hiring a hit man to strangle his wife, Jane, to death last year
  
• A judge ruled Friday that he will stand trial for her death after hearing from 30 witnesses
  
• Mistress Venita Porter testified Friday that she lived in a sex dungeon he kept in the basement of a property
  
• Another mistress, Rachel Gillett, described their kinky sex life on Wednesday and Thursday and how Bashara wanted to introduce a third person to their relationship - either a man or woman
  
• A woman whom he was grooming to join the relationship, Janet Leehmann, testified on Thursday that hesent her a leather collar and a dirty T-shirt so she could smell his scent
  
• She said when he visited her in Oregon she heard him shout at someone on the phone saying: 'I want it done this weekend' just prior to the murder
  
• His daughter, Jessica Bashara, testified that she found a text message on her father's phone that read: 'Get on your knees and give me h***, b****'
  

By Helen Pow
PUBLISHED: 22:36 GMT, 13 September 2013 | UPDATED: 22:36 GMT, 13 September 2013
 
 
A judge has ruled that Bob Bashara will stand trial for his wife's murder after hearing a week of testimony from witnesses who detailed Bashara's bizarre and kinky extramarital affairs with women that he kept in a sex dungeon.
 
When making the judgment, Judge Kenneth King said he considered the range of evidence, including Bashara's alleged relationship with his wife's admitted killer, Joe Gentz, as well as his false alibis and murder for hire allegations.
 
'This is way too bizarre,' King said.
 
Bashara's wife, Jane Bashara, was found strangled in her SUV on Detroit’s east side in January 2012.
 
Several women have testified to having BDSM relationships with Bashara, including the latest, Venita Porter, who said she used to live in a sex dungeon that Bashara kept in the basement of a property, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Porter said she had a three-year relationship with Bashara and that she attended church with him and his wife every Sunday, as well as went to volleyball games involving Bashara's daughter.
 
She said she once found Bashara in the dungeon with his former mistress, Rachel Gillett, and she flew into a rage.
 
'There was going to be sex,' Porter said. 'I went absolutely crazy.'
 
Some time after the falling out, Jane was killed and Bashara sought Porter out. She said he changed his alibi for the day of Jane's death.
 
She also said that during a meeting once in Hines Park, Bashara 'grabbed me by my neck, lifted me to my toes, and kissed me.
 
'I kept my hand on my box cutters in my pocket, and I hoped that I was going to live.'
 
Also testifying Friday was Larry Ellington, a convicted felon who shared a cell with Bashara in prison.
 
He testified that Bashara approached him about killing three people, including Gentz and Steve Tibaudo, a furniture dealer who caught Bashara on tape soliciting someone to kill Gentz.
 
'He wanted them hit,' Ellington testified.

Third wheel: Oregon woman, Janet Leehmann, pictured, who Bashara had found and had been grooming to join him and Gillett in their polyamorous love in took the stand on Thursday


Dirty: Leehmann, pictured here with blonde hair, described how Bashara also made her call him 'Master Bob' and sent her dirty letters, a leather collar and a T-shirt he had worn for three days straight so she could smell his scent

Earlier in the week, the court heard fromJanet Leehmann, whom Bashara had been grooming to join him and his mistress in a kinky three-way relationship. She described how he made her call him 'Master Bob' and sent her dirty letters, a leather collar and a T-shirt he had worn for three days straight so she could smell his scent.

Leehmann, who Bashara met on the BDSM website, took the stand on Thursday after Rachel Gillett told the courtroom she regularly engaged in 'breath play' with the accused wife murderer and agreed to having a polyamourous relationship to stop him cheating. 'Breath play' involves near-asphyxiation while engaging in an act of sex.

Leehmann testified that Bashara planned a trip from grosse Pointe Park, Michigan to Oregon to visit her in January 2012, shortly before his wife, Jane Bashara, was killed.

Prior to him arriving he sent her numerous notes and messages including one saying: 'Hello SJ (her alt.com name). Soon you will feel my strength and passion.'

He also described how Gillett loved breath play - an erotic choking game.

'I can choke her just enough to make her woozy,' Leehmann recalled Bashara telling her of Gillett. 'I can do the same to you.'

And when he arrived at her home he did.

'He was standing behind me, he wrapped his hands around my neck and I passed out cold,' she testified. When asked by Lindsay if she consented to the asphyxiation, she said, 'no, not really.'

Leehmann said he responded: 'Well little girl you should have told me you were getting bad, I could have stopped.'
 
When asked if they engaged in sexual contact, she said no, adding that she was surprised.
 
'It doesn't work, his private parts,' she told the courtroom.

'I was surprised. He said he thinks it has to do with his weight.'

She said that while he was visiting her he spent long periods of time on the phone and she overheard one conversation which got extremely heated and left Bashara angry.

'He said "I want this done, I want it done this weekend. What the f*** is wrong with you." It was the most agitated I'd ever seen him,' she testified.

When she asked who was on the phone, she said he told her it was a handyman.

She said he left for home not long after.
 
On January 18 or 19 she said she received a call from Bashara.

'He asked if knew anyone that would rough someone up for money,' she said adding that a handyman had done him wrong. He later said he wanted to rough up Gillett's boss as well, as he allegedly intended to fire her.

Leehmann said she told him to go to the police.

Bashara, 55, of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan is charged with hiring his handyman, Joseph Gentz, to kill his wife, Jane Bashara. She was strangled to death in her car on January 24, 2012.

Earlier, Bashara's former mistress testified about the couple's kinky sex life after his daughter described finding dirty text messages on her father's cell phone and catching him on pornography websites.

Gillett testified on Wednesday afternoon that she met 'Master Bob' in 2008 on an alternative lifestyle website and the two began dating. She described how she went to the 'dungeon' in the basement of one of the church-going businessman's many rental properties and took part in BDSM including choking each other for fun.

Six minutes into Gillett's testimony, on the third day of Bashara's preliminary exam on murder and other charges, the courtroom was plunged into darkness after a power outage that forced an evacuation of the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit.

However, during the brief testimony she revealed she and Bashara often engaged in 'breath play' — or erotic choking — after meeting on the website alt.com.

'We had a few emails and phone calls ... then we went to the dungeon below one of his rental properties (the Hard Luck Lounge in Grosse Pointe Park),' said Gillett, who went by the screen name 'Bella' on alt.com.
 
Gillett returned to the stand on Thursday morning, and explained how Bashara told her he was going to leave his wife for her and that the couple were looking for a man or woman to join them in a 'polyamorous' relationship.

She admitted that she knew he continued to sleep with other women who he found on alt.com and believed granting his request of including another person in their relationship would stop him playing around.
 
Crying, she said: 'We had talked about bringing another person into the relationship. We had talked about both scenarios (male and female). I thought it would stop him from cheating.

'He assured me if we had someone else in our relationship he promised he would stop (cheating).

She added: 'I didn't want to lose him.'

Earlier on Wednesday, Bashara's daughter, Jessica Bashara, testified that she walked in on her father while he was looking at the BDSM website and various pornography sites.
 
During her 27 minutes on the stand, the University of Michigan student remained composed but wrung her hands as she explained the discovery upset her and her mother, whom she told.
 
Miss Bashara also described how she found a text message that said, 'Get on your knees and give me h***, b****' on her father's cell phone.

'My mother confronted my father about it,' she said. 'I showed my father the text message and asked him what it was. He asked to look at (the) phone, deleted the message, handed it back and said there were no messages like that on his phone.'

Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey asked: 'So he lied to your face?' To which Miss Bashara replied: 'Yes.'

With her father starring at her in the court room, she said she confronted her father about having an affair after such allegations emerged in the media. She said Bashara denied the accusations before finally confessing, though he claimed the relationship was non-sexual.

However, Miss Bashara said she later found a card written by her father to Gillett which said: 'The sex was great.'

When she asked him to explain, her father lied about it, she testified.
 
'He still denied having sex because he said he wasn't physically capable, but there are other ways of having sex, which I didn't question,' she said.

Miss Bashara, who was away at college in Ann Arbor when her mother was killed, testified about her parents' fraught relationship and said they were having counseling.

The young woman said she last spoke to her mother on January 24, 2012, as Jane Bashara drove from work shortly after 4 p.m.

Some five hours later, she got a call from her father, who said he was concerned because her mother hadn't come home yet, and he didn't know where she was. She said her mother had many friends and was a member of many clubs and societies so she found the call strange.

However. the next morning when her mother still hadn't shown up she became worried.

She called around some hotels, thinking she may have booked a room to get some space from her father but had no luck.

Soon after, her father called again.

'This time, he told me that my mother was dead,' she said.

She explained that e father gave multiple stories as to what happened, including a random car hijacking.
 
On Monday, prosecutors in the murder trial of the disgraced Michigan businessman said the 55-year-old wanted his wife dead in part because she would not participate in his BDSM lifestyle, where he acted as a sex slave master dubbed 'Master Bob.'

Bashara, who is already serving up to 20 years in prison in a separate but related murder-for-hire plot, was charged in April with first-degree murder in connection to his wife's slaying.

Jane Bashara's body was found in her Mercedes-Benz in a Detroit alley, a few miles from the couple's home in the affluent suburb of Grosse Pointe Park.
 
Handyman Joseph Gentz has pleaded guilty to strangling her, saying Robert Bashara commissioned him.

Mr Bashara was later convicted of trying to hire someone to kill Gentz in jail. He has denied involvement in his wife's death.

During the first day of Bashara's preliminary examination Monday, witnesses testified about the couple's marital problems and Bashara's BDSM lifestyle, which his wife had wanted no part in, The Detroit Free Press reported.

The defendant’s former business associate Robert Godard Jr told the court that the married father of two had operated a sex dungeon under a bar he owned called the Hard Luck Lounge, where he would bring different women for kinky sex parties.

But according to Godard, of all Bashara's sexual partners, one woman had stood out.  
 
The witness testified that Bashara started a relationship with Rachel Gillett, and the two were planning to buy a $245,000 house and start a life together.

According to earlier reports, Gillett believed that Bashara was divorced or separated from his wife of 26 years during their three-year relationship.

In April 2012, then-51-year-old Gillett filed a restraining order against Bashara saying that she was terrified that she will suffer the same fate as his wife.

According to police sources, the couple planned to set up a sex 'playhouse' on their new property just blocks away from his family home, where Bashara wanted to house a ‘harem’ of women to serve him.

Godard told the court that his friend's relationship with his wife was on the rocks because Jane Bashara, a marketing executive, refused to participate in her husband's unconventional sex life.

He also recalled one conversation with Mr Bashara in which the 55-year-old property owner mentioned that he was looking to hire someone to 'put a hurt' on a tenant with whom he had a problem.

Also on Monday, Jane Bashara's best friend, Patricia Matthews, testified that the woman had complained numerous times about her husband, whom she had accused of lying to her and stealing money from her.

'Bob always lies. Bob always lies,' Matthews said Jane Bashara told her. 'She couldn't count on what he said.'
 
On one occasion, Jane's friend told the court, Robert Bashara told his wife he was going on a golf trip to Florida with a friend. But when she called her husband's supposed travel companion, the man informed her that he had not seen Mr Bashara in three years.

As another example of her husband's alleged dishonesty, Jane Bashara cited the fact that Bob took $10,000 from her 401(k) account without her permission, prompting her to change her passwords, Miss Matthews said Monday.

Matthews further told the court her friend confided in her that even though her spouse was a 'flirt,' he suffered from erectile dysfunction and the couple had a mostly sexless marriage.
 
The mother of two also had mentioned to Matthews that their children once caught Mr Bashara watching 'weird porn' at home, and that he offered to divorce Jane when the kids finished high school.

'She said Bob has no boundaries,' Miss Matthews said, according to The Daily Tribune.
 
Bashara's mother, Nancy Bashara, and his cousin, Stephanie Samuel, testified about discovering a .32 caliber revolver in a bank safe deposit box they shared. The gun was later found in possession of Bashara's attorney.

On Tuesday, the court heard from Dr. Francisco Diaz, assistant medical examiner in Wayne County, who testified that Jane Bashara died from a combination of injuries, which included repeated blunt force trauma and strangulation resulting in her windpipe being crushed, The Detroit News reported.
 
During the coroner's testimony, Robert Bashara, who previously appeared impassive, was seen dabbing his eyes with a tissue and lowering his head.

Bashara is currently serving a minimum prison sentence of 6 1/2 years for trying to have Gentz killed in the county jail last year. He faces life in prison without parole if convicted of the new charges against him.

Last December, Gentz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed to cooperate with authorities.

'Bob Bashara offered me money to kill his wife,' he told a judge. 'He threatened he would kill me if I didn't kill his wife.'
 
 
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2420463/Bob-Bashara-trial-Third-mistress-testifies-businessman-accused-having-hitman-kill-wife-start-polyamorous-BDSM-life.html
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[Darkman]

Re: Jane Bashara -- Deceased 1/24/12



by CuriousPortlander

Day 5
Witness 26: Daryl Bradford; detained at jail as material witness

• Knows Paul Munroe for almost all his life
  
• never met Jane; heard about murder
  
• Paul asked him to call in "tip" that his girlfriend and ex-boyfriend had something to do with murder
  
• Didn't ask why; just did it; used Paul's cell phone to call it in
  
• Paul gave him the phone; doesn't know who was called
  
• Said what he was told to say
  
• was given $20
  

No Cross

========

Witness 27: Ms. Venita Porter (BDSM community)

• Knows Bob from BDSM
  
• Became intimate with him
  
• Bob said he was married; they were not getting along; didn't want same future; had an arrangement; planning a divorce after kids out of school
  
• Attended social events; church, rotary, movies, dinners, volleyball games to see Jessica play...
  
• "Lived" in the dungeon; helped set it up
  
• dungeon divided into two rooms
  
• large cross on the wall that Bob had made was made wrong
  
• Bob engaged in breath play; spanking; impotence; hitting; got dizzy and unconscious during choking; she said she was uncomfortable; he'd back off for a while and then resume
  
• she'd be on the edge of passing out
  
• She'd met his mother, wife, kids, friends
  
• Knew Bob's friend Jim (real estate contractor)
  
• She'd see Bob and Jim together; Hard Luck; Jim seemed to have access to cocaine
  
• Jim offered Bob cocaine; Bob only seemed to do coke when Jim was around; saw residue on Bob's nose
  
• She previously testified Nov. 12, 2012; witness reviewing
  
• Now she recalls talking to Bob about cocaine; she wasn't interested in using it
  
• Relationship ended; asked Bob for night of fun (dinner, dancing); to meet at Dylan's; she had drink; said he was at Hard Luck; she went there; there was no one there
  
• Called Bob; said he was downstairs; come down to dungeon
  
• Found him with Rachel; had never seen her before
  
• They were about to have sex; witness was livid; not the kind of evening she wanted
  
• They blew her off and closed door; witness stayed and went crazy again she was so mad
  
• She humiliated herself while begging him not to do that
  
• He kicked her out; stole some of her stuff while she was cleaning out
  
• She felt like she was having a heart attack
  
• R told him not to be so mean
  
• Kicked her out while she was packing
  
• Only discussions later were because Bob owed her money
  
• Few IMs
  
• No contact until found out about Jane's death; called Bob for condolences
  
• Saw more of Bob after Jane's death than before
  
• He showed up at her house around Mar. 2012; heard her mailbox being opened; Bob walked in door without knocking with her mail
  
• Bended to Bob; didn't want to make him mad; gave condolence
  
• Smiled and wanted to get him out; called prosecutor right after he left
  
• He said he knew people (veiled threat against her and her kids)
  
• Said she was sorry about Jane
  
• Bob said that Rachel wasn't standing by his side; turned on him
  
• He asked her to go to Rotary wine tasting; she didn't understand why he was there
  
• She didn't go
  
• Talked to Bob about where he was when Jane was murdered; had been drinking at Hard Luck; said he was outside in back alley to pick up some trash (funny; never picked up a damn thing; Bob gets people to do things for him)
  
• Struck her as odd
  
• Story later changed; now saying he had to go back to the house to get some keys for 5-10 minutes
  
• June 2012; Bob asked her to lunch
  
• She felt more comfortable keeping things calm; went along with it; easier to listen to what he had to say
  
• came over to some club; no seating; drove to Hines Park; large construction crew, so she felt safe there; sat at table
  
• Bob told her that he really did love Rachel; R had turned on him; he couldn't reach her; she was saying things
  
• Bob talked about Jessica; Lisa Lindsey (pros.) gave Jessica copy of card Bob had sent to Rachel; Jessica was upset
  
• Went for a walk with Bob around the park
  
• He pulled her into the bushes where no one could see her; talked to her; why did you turn me into a whore; she was too beautiful to not be having sex; grabbed her by the neck, lifted her off the ground, and kissed her
  
• She kept her hand on her boxcutters in her pocket and hoped she was going to live
  
• Bob asked her to come back to his house and come stay there; no one would know
  
• Bob said he needed to feel her; he didn't have much time
  
• When they came out of bushes two men there (LE?); they walked passed them and left
  
• Bob later got arrested (that night?)
  

No cross

========

Witness 28: Larry Ellington - shared cell with Bob!

• currently in correction facility for robbery; serving sentence
  
• used to be in Oaks correctional (not there now; not revealing where he's at now)
  
• was there for about 8 weeks before being transferred
  
• cellmate of Bob's; just him and Bob
  
• shared cell for about 6 weeks
  
• they talked; they both shared info
  
• Bob told him someone said this witness was a Moore? or Muslim?; he could have things done?
  
• Bob talked about Joe Gentz, guy named Steve at appliance store; and Timothy Ramsey
  
• Bob wanted all three "hit" - killed!!!
  
• Started off with just Joe; Bob asked if witness could get to someone already in jail; witness said yes
  
• Bob cried; witness said you killed your wife; Bob said no; witness said you had her killed
  
• Bob upset because they'd believe "a retard" over himself
  
• Never said he had Jane killed; never denied it
  
• Said he needed that "fucker" gone
  
• His observation was that Bob did it
  
• Bob wanted "fat piece of shit Steve gone"; witness knows who Steve is
  
• Bob said Steve carries a gun ('38); Steve kept telling Bob that Steve could have Joe killed; wanted Steve killed because Steve set him up and because he was wearing a wire
  
• witness played along with him; said, sure, let's do it
  
• Wanted to make sure the BS ended (that's why playing along)
  
• Timothy Ramsey; stayed on 3 Mile Street (Bob wrote it down for him)
  
• Said Ramsey talks a lot; started a mess at Bob's compound
  
• Wanted Ramsey killed; Bob didn't say specifically why
  
• What Bob wrote down was later torn up and flushed
  
• Talked verbally in the yard because Bob thought the cell was bugged
  
• showing video of prison yard with people playing basketball; shows Bob and witness walking by and around the whole yard
  
• video admitted as evidence
  
• Bob offered witness cash; witness said it's going to cost you; Bob said his money was tied up (Rick? was power of attorney); had someone to sell his house for him; Rick ended up selling it for him (for $350K; less than expected)
  
• Bob said he had to pay someone $100K (mom?)
  
• Bob's story changed
  
• Bob's money was tied up; Bob had to go to court for his money; state had his money tied up
  
• Bob asked witness to call Rick; witness called to discuss what happened at court (related to Bob's money being tied up)
  
• Conveyed info learned to Bob
  
• Rick put money into witness' account (limited to $50/month, because witness owed restitution he couldn't get more)
  
• Talked to Rick about receiving money; witness talked to Rick twice on phone
  
• Bob was going to offer property for hits; mortgage value was coming down; Bob could pay him off with house
  
• hit person could take over the note; rent another property and make a profit
  
• witness' aunt in real estate; said he could have appraisal done
  
• House was on Gilford?
  
• Witness told Bob not to tell anyone else about the plans for the hits
  
• Bob told witness that he told a guy in Level 2 the same thing; before arraignment; put in level 4 after that; another guy said he could make it happen for $1K; this was before Bob met this witness
  
• Witness said he had too many people involved; bringing too much heat
  
• Bob did what he had to do
  
• Lost contact with other guy when moved to Level 4
  
• Witness wrote letter to prosecutor to share info; told Ms Worthy what Bob wanted him to do
  
• Then witness interviewed by prosecutor's office; told them what he testified to today
  
• Has not been promised anything in return for testimony; only told if he gets re-sentenced, prosecutor would say he had cooperated in this case
  
• Witness was put in bullpen with Bob; Bob called him a rat; pointed him out to whoever was watching and Bob pointed him out and called him a rat; "he's doing a good job" telling on Bob
  
  Cross:
  
  
• Used to be a moore? Wasn't active. Used to be a Muslim. A moore practices Islamic; science temple of America; active back in 2006-7; was in prison at the time
  
• You can get things done when you're a Moore or a Muslim
  
• Witness has spent most of his life in prison
  
• Witness knows what to do and what not to do; unwritten rules of being in prison
  
• At Oaks facility, witness was in Level 4
  
• 6-7 weeks as Bob's cellmate; 22 hours per day (2 hours for recreation)
  
• Does Bob just talk all the time? No
  
• Sept. 8, 2012; committed armed robbery; convicted 2013
  
• Aug. 31, 2012; committed armed robbery; convicted
  
• within the last 10 years, you've been convicted of two bank robberies (2004) - yes
  
• witness sentenced to 5.5 to 25.5 for each; served 5.5 years for one of the bank robberies
  
• witness didn't want to see anyone killed
  
• witness said he could get things done
  
• witness told Bob he could have witness' cousin kill someone; never told prosecutor that
  
• witness said he needed his time cut down; couldn't be offered that
  
• decided to "do the right thing"
  
• witness is now housed in level 2 (dorm style); benefit he got as a result of testifying
  
• witness can't remember name of prisoner Bob was talking to before him; worked with maintenance people who Bob could talk to
  
• Saw Bob talk to few other people; most people didn't want to be bothered with him
  
• attorney is saying witness lies; witness says he's not lying
  
  Re-direct:
  
  
• originally asked for benefit of reduced time; was told they couldn't do it
  
• witness still gave a statement without getting time cut
  
• if word got out that witness was a rat, in Level 4, he could have been harmed
  Judge asking for no speaking objections
  
• Bob called him Buckwheat; made witness mad
  

========

Witness 29: Richard Falcinelli; personal friend of Bob's; BDSM

• Midnight Rider/ Sir Rick are his BDSM names
  
• Knows Bob thru BDSM
  
• power of attorney for Bob for selling Middlesex home; received order to freeze Bob's assets
  
• Bob asked Rick to put money on Mr. Ellington's account; eventually complied
  
• Some relative of Larry, and then Larry, asked him to put money in Ellington's account; didn't do it until Bob asked him to
  
• Rick couldn't speak freely with Bob due to calls being recorded; repeatedly told Bob to "shut the f**k up, Bob" and not talk on the phone and with others
  
• Bob not following Rick's advice not to put money into Larry's account
  
• playing recording; witness recognizes Bob and his own voice
  
• Recording: Bob saying put $50 on that account; others calling witness to ask same
  
• Reluctantly did so; fiduciary responsibility to do what Bob asked
  
• Witness talked to Larry directly
  
• Recently learned from defense attnys that Larry was cooperating
  
• referred to Larry as "that two-faced SOB" - witness said to Bob "I told you just to STFU"
  
• Bob admitted to witness he was talking to Larry
  
• witness laughing when recording is being played; prosecutor admonishing witness for laughing; this is a murder case; objection; sustained
  
• witness has about 35 websites he's on (alt.com, fetlife.com, (fetish) etc.)
  
• knew Rachel; partner, slave and submissive; Bob's Bella
  
• over the last 12 years, met several (4-5 or more) women that Bob was involved with
  
• Bob said Jane had no interest in BDSM
  
• Bob said he loved Rachel; also that he loved Jane
  
• getting contentious between prosecutor and witness; he's volunteering more than being asked
  
• Judge admonished to answer only question being asked
  
• Bob said he was buying house; wanted future with Rachel
  
• At one point, after murder, he said he was buying the house with Jane (never said that before murder)
  
• before murder, Bob never mentioned Joe's name
  
• Never said that he thought Joe killed Jane until after Joe turned himself in
  
• After Joe came out in media, Bob explained Joe was maintenance man; Joe was leaving Bob msgs on cell phone
  
• April 21,2012 statement: witness testified that Bob never told him he suspected Joe (this was after Joe had been arrested and charged)
  
• Before Bob was charged with solicitation, Bob said he thought Joe killed Jane (after his April testimony)
  
• After murder, but before June, Bob mentioned Cadillac; that Joe had seen it, and Joe wanted to get in compensation for rental property services work; reviewing April statement for related comment; as of April, Bob had not told witness that Joe was trying to get car
  
• Bob told witness that he had left house early on day of murder; made several stops; one was at bar on Mack Ave; came and went from Mack Ave. property
  
• Bob said he was concerned about not being able to reach Jane while traveling between stops
  
• Bob told witness that Bob had given Joe a check the Monday before the murder; met in person to give him a check for $450
  
• Bob never mentioned that Joe ever made threats against Bob, family or Jane
  
• Bob said Joe wasn't satisfied with the amount Bob paid him
  
• Bob never said he feared for his safety after this conversation
  
• Bob never told witness he was trying to have Joe killed for trying to avenge Jane's murder until after the allegations against Bob came out (sometime in 2012)
  
• April 8, 2013, witness gave statement to prosecutors saying Bob never indicated he wanted to kill Joe to avenge murder; saying now that was not true? (Not sure about that)
  
• Told Bob he shouldn't have called Steve; he should have called this witness
  
• Week of Jane's funeral; Bob asked witness to contact Rachel to see if she's alright and tell her that he still cared for her (witness can't remember which time he was supposed to convey which msg)
  
• Bob asked witness to set up profile on fetlife (fetish website); after he was locked up
  
• Witness knew where Rachel was, so fetlife wasn't to find Rachel
  
• Some discussion on "catpurr"/Teresa; couldn't follow
  
• Witness found out about PPO that Rachel had against Bob; said he never contacted Rachel on Bob's behalf after that
  
• weekend of Jan 21, 2012, witness went to BDSM event; saw Bob and Rachel there
  
• People don't usually engaged in breath play at BDSM events, but he has been to some where it did happen; never witnessed anyone pass out from it; witness has participated in it himself
  
• Bob told witness he provided list of suspects to LE (15-18 names!!!); week before funeral
  
• Joe's name was on the list; this info came out after that
  

Recess for shortened lunch; reconvene at 1:15, I think

========

Witness 30: Eileen Stratelak

• Fall 2011 - saw Bob at Cedar Gardens restaurant
  
• Said he was meeting a tenant; he came in front door; she came in back; afterward recognized her as Rachel
  
• They were there for a while; they went out different doors
  
• Saw thru window that they met up outside
  
• Spoke to Jane on 1/24 to make plans for later; she declined; wanted to go home and rest
  
• She told Bob she had spoken to Jane on the 24th; never asked her any questions about Jane; just said you're probably the last one to talk to her
  
• First story was carjacking somewhere on Jefferson; someone could have taken her
  
• Didn't mention Joe
  
• She followed story in media; she later confronted Bob
  
• Bob told her not to believe media; asked about media story about Joe pulling out of garage and that Bob was also seen letting Joe out of garage
  
• He said, Eileen, I guess I was at the wrong place at the time...went home at 6 p.m. to get keys; saw Jane's bag; went to bathroom; was in a hurry; her car was not in driveway; I guess Joe was in the garage with her
  
• Prior to that, he never said he was there
  
• Never said he looked in garage or went in there
  
• Bob said that he himself associates with losers; was trying to help out Joe; Joe wanted money; Joe killed his wife and must have felt guilty, Joe told Steve, and Steve said blame Bob
  
• Bob said they had no DNA and had nothing on him; said Joe was going to be found incompetent; if so, there'd be no proof against Bob
  
• She asked about S&M; he said he's not into that; doesn't own black leather; he and Jane didn't have a relationship; said he had an ED problem; he started "crying" but there were no tears; he should just end it (implying he should just kill himself)
  

No Cross



Stipulation as to how LE found Jane in car; went too fast to capture
Stipulation that Jane's was transported to ME

Nothing further from the people!

Court in recess until 2:15!

========

My feed this afternoon was real choppy, so I missed a lot; here's what I got:

Judge's comments:

• Court observed Bob's non-verbal communications to Rachel; licking his lips with his tongue; "he was going to town!" with it; rubbing his heart; crying tears, even though his eyes were as dry as sandpaper; husband's supposed to protect wife
  
• Lots of evidence, mostly to do with motive; not looking at that because not required to prove, some witnesses aren't the cleanest of which (convicts); "if you're dealing with scum, chances are you're pretty much scum, too".
  
• The State produced evidence to substantiate those witnesses
  
• alleged murder for hire; solicitations; seems like he thought he was Mafia; putting hits on multiple people; like "he's the man"; way too bizarre
  
• Could have skipped the exam and gone right to trial
  
• Overwhelming evidence that the charges were committed; probable cause that Bob committed them all
  

Sept. 20 9 a.m. - arraignment

Woohoo! Bob's going to trial!!!

[Darkman]

Judge rules Bob Bashara to stand trial for murder of wife Jane
Posted: 9:26 AM Last Updated: 11 minutes ago

Snipped:
-----
DETROIT (WXYZ) - UPDATE: A judge ruled Friday that Bob Bashara will stand trial for the murder of his wife Jane.

The ruling comes after a week of preliminary hearings where the judge heard from 30 witnesses and determined there was both "overwhelming evidence," and probable cause for Bashara to stand trial.
-----

Read more: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/live-preliminary-hearing-continues-friday-in-bashara-murder-case

[Darkman]

Bob Bashara ordered to stand trial in wife's death in case judge calls 'too bizarre'
 
10:39 PM, September 13, 2013
 
By Gina Damron
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

 
As he ordered Bob Bashara to stand trial in his wife’s death, 36th District Judge Kenneth King called the case “bizarre” and accused him of inappropriate behavior in court, including licking his lips while his former mistress testified.
 
King’s ruling wraps up a week of lurid testimony that offered a peek inside Bashara’s alternative lifestyle, which included secret lovers, plans for a new life with a mistress and BDSM — bondage, discipline, sadomasochism.
 
Bashara is facing first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the killing of Jane Bashara in January 2012. King said the witnesses who testified during Bashara’s five-day preliminary examination gave a road map as to who was responsible for the demise of the Grosse Pointe Park mother.
 
“And I could probably add one more to that list, because I also had the opportunity to observe Mr. Bashara in the court room, as well,” King said. “This court observed Mr. Bashara rubbing his heart, crying tears, even though his eyes were as dry as sandpaper.”
 
After admonishing Bashara earlier this week, King said, he watched as Bashara licked his lips during testimony from Rachel Gillett, his former mistress.
 
“And it wasn’t a simple licking of the lips,” the judge said. “I mean he was going to town on his lips with his tongue.”
 
Some of the witnesses who testified this week included a man Bashara admitted he solicited to hire a hit man to kill his former handyman; Bashara’s former prison cellmate, who said Bashara solicited him to help have three people killed; a man who provided him cocaine and called in a false tip to police; former lovers, and members of the BDSM community.
 
Bashara has maintained his innocence in the case, despite an admission from his former handyman, Joseph Gentz, who said he killed Jane Bashara at her husband’s direction. Bashara later admitted he solicited a local business owner to find someone to kill Gentz in jail.
 
Jane Bashara was found dead on Jan. 25, 2012. She had been strangled and left in her SUV on Detroit’s east side. An assistant Wayne County medical examiner testified earlier this week that her trachea had been crushed.
 
Bashara’s former prison cellmate, Larry Ellington, testified Friday that he, too, was solicited by Bashara to help orchestrate hits on three people, including Gentz and the previously solicited business owner, who wore a wire for police during his conversations with Bashara.
 
King said that if the allegations against Bashara — including giving false alibis and the murder-for-hire solicitations — are to be believed, “it almost sounds like the defendant ... thought he was mafia or something.”

 
Bashara is scheduled to be arraigned in Wayne County Circuit Court on Sept. 20. (at  9 a.m.)
 
Also testifying Friday was Venita Porter, who said she lived in the sex dungeon Bashara kept in the basement of one of his properties and was intimate with him. She testified that she spent time around Bashara’s family, including attending church with him and his wife.
 
Porter testified that one night, when she wanted to go out for dinner and dancing with Bashara, she instead found him in the sex dungeon with Gillett. Porter said she got upset, and Bashara kicked her out.
 
Two months after Jane Bashara was killed, Porter testified, Bashara showed up at her house. She said he told her Gillett “wasn’t standing by his side.” Bashara asked Porter go to a wine event as his date, but she declined, she testified.
 
Another day, Porter testified, she met Bashara in a park, where he told her Gillett “had turned on him.” She said Bashara also told her his children were upset with him.
 
As the pair walked around the park, Porter testified, he pulled her into some bushes where they couldn’t be seen. She said he grabbed her by the neck, lifted her up, kissed her and asked her to go stay with him at his house.
 
Bashara was arrested in June on a charge of solicitation of murder for trying to have Gentz killed.
 
Gentz, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, said Bashara offered him money to kill his wife and threatened him if he didn’t go through with it.
 
Eileen Stratelak, Jane Bashara’s friend, testified on Friday that after his wife went missing on Jan. 24, 2012, Bashara speculated she may have been the victim of a carjacking. She said Bashara told her not to believe what she saw in the news media.
 
Stratelak testified that she asked Bashara about an account she heard where Gentz had been spotted pulling out of the garage of the home on Middlesex and that Bashara let him out. She said Bashara told her he had come home at some point that night, so maybe Gentz was in the garage with Jane at the same time.
 
In addition to murder, Bashara is facing several other charges, including witness intimidation, solicitation of murder and obstruction of justice.
 
“The real shame of it all is that I would submit that Ms. Bashara probably really trusted Mr. Bashara in giving her hand in marriage to him,” King said Friday. “A husband is supposed to protect, and there’s supposed to be trust in the relationship.”
 
Contact Gina Damron: 313-223-4526 or gdamron@freepress.com
 
Source: http://www.freep.com/article/20130913/NEWS02/309130107/Bashara-sex-murder-mistress (includes Video)

[Darkman]

Videos:

Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 13. Day 5. Part 1 - Ms. Venita Porter (BDSM community), Larry Ellington (Bob's cellmate), Richard Falcinelli (aka Sir Rick; Bob's friend; BDSM) etc



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2I4YewNOYU

-----------

Bob Bashara Trial. Preliminary Hearing. Sept 13. Day 5. Part 2 - Eileen Stratelak (knew Jane & Bob), Judge's comments (at the end) /// Stream is not the best at times



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8hdaH4ygBU

[Darkman]

Video: Judge Kenneth King orders Bob Bashara to stand trial (Separate video from court with just Judge's comments - Clear!)
 

 
Source: http://www.freep.com/videonetwork/2670589858001/Bashara-judge-calls-case-too-bizarre-

[Darkman]

Honeymoon Murder, BDSM Master of Murder and Jodi Arias Sentencing News (Crime Time by TheLipTV)
 
 TheLipTV
 

 
Published on Sep 13, 2013
Jordan Lin Graham is accused of murdering her husband just after the honeymoon, but is it true that she killed him after she got her fairytale wedding? We also discuss Bob Bashara, the BDSM dungeon master that allegedly had his wife killed, and the latest on Jodi Arias sentencing legal maneuvers with attorney Mike Cavalluzzi on Crime Time.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCVX2LIST5o

[Darkman]

Bob Bashara arraigned on murder charge in death of wife

10:44 AM, September 20, 2013
 
Detroit Free Press Staff
 
Bob Bashara was arraigned Friday on charges including first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Jane Bashara, with a trial date set for March 3 (2014).
 
Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Vonda Evans entered a plea of not guilty on Bashara’s behalf. When Evans asked Bashara how he was this morning, he only said that he “was blessed.”
 
The arraignment follows his preliminary examination, which took place last week in Detroit. It included testimony from people who offered a glimpse into Bashara’s alternative lifestyle involving BDSM — bondage, discipline, sadomasochism — and his plans for a new life with a mistress.
 
Prosecutors have said his lifestyle and an affair were motives to have his wife killed. She was found strangled in her SUV in January 2012.
 
Bashara has maintained his innocence in the case, despite an admission from his former handyman, Joseph Gentz, who said he killed Jane Bashara at her husband’s direction. Bashara later pleaded guilty to that charge, admitting he solicited a local business owner to find someone to kill Gentz in jail.
 
Source: http://www.freep.com/article/20130920/NEWS02/309200018/Bob-Bashara-arraignment-Jane-Bashara

[Darkman]

Bob Bashara pleads not guilty to murder charge
 
Bashara charged with first degree murder in wife's death
 
Author: Lisa Ray, Managing Editor, ClickOnDetroit.com, lray@wdiv.com
 
Published On: Sep 19 2013 08:01:16 PM EDT | Updated On: Sep 20 2013 10:51:17 AM EDT
 
 
 
DETROIT - Bob Bashara was arraigned in connection with his wife's murder Friday in front of Judge Vonda Evans.
 
Evans set a March 3 (2014) trial date on a first-degree murder charge for the Grosse Pointe Park man.
 
After a preliminary exam that included 30 witnesses and 5 days of lurid testimony District Court Judge Kenneth King called the case "unusual" and "bizarre."
 
UNCUT: Bob Bashara's former mistress takes the stand 
 
"When you deal with scum, chances are you're pretty much scum, too," King said.
  
Watch: Courtroom video: Judge's decision to try Bob Bashara
 
In the fifth and last day of testimony, the judge said they could have skipped this long hearing and gone straight to trial.
 
"It almost sounds like the defendant, if those allegations are to be believed, thought he was mafia or something he was watching on TV or a movie, putting hits on people," said King.
 
Jane Bashara was found strangled to death on Jan. 25, 2012, inside her SUV that was parked in a Detroit alley, a few miles from the couple's home.
 
Joseph Gentz, a handyman who worked for Bob Bashara, has pleaded guilty to killing her, but saying he did so at her husband's behest.
 
Bob Bashara already is serving up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to trying to hire someone to kill Gentz in jail.
 
Read: Daughter: Bob Bashara had porn habit
 
Read: Bob Bashara's mistress says relationship had lies
 
Uncut video: Jane's best friend takes stand during Bashara prelim
 
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Jane Bashara Murder Investigation
 
Source: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/bob-bashara-to-be-arraigned-on-charges-he-murdered-wife-jane-bashara/-/1719418/22024348/-/jech3oz/-/index.html

[Darkman]

Drug-sale admission in Bashara case won't lead to arrest
 

Bob Bashara
 
By Jameson Cook, The Macomb Daily 
 
Posted: 09/19/13, 8:15 AM EDT
 
Admitting in court that you gave someone 50 grams of cocaine isn’t always enough evidence to charge you with a crime.
 
That’s what happened recently in the Bob Bashara murder trial case in Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit.
 
Paul Monroe, who has prior criminal convictions, testified recently at Bashara’s preliminary examination that he provided Bashara with 50 grams of cocaine, which police said would have a street value of $5,000 or more. Monroe said he gave it to Bashara without compensation as a “favor.”
 
But Maria Miller, spokeswoman for Prosecutor Kym Worthy, said the incident’s age and lack of corroborating physical evidence make it moot.
 
“There is no drug evidence since they were alleged to have been delivered in 2012,” Miller said. “We cannot charge a crime based solely on a statement.”
 
Erika Breitfeld, a professor at Thomas Cooley Law School in Auburn Hills and a former assistant Macomb County prosecutor, said a person cannot be convicted solely on a statement, which can only be used as “supportive evidence.”
 
“The prosecution has to prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt,” she said. “This doesn’t mean that the confession can’t be used, but it requires the body of the crime to be proved without it.”
 
Bashara snorted the cocaine from his pinky finger on June 20, 2012, as the two men sat in a car a couple of blocks from a gas station at Six Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Monroe said. Bashara made incriminating statements to Mornoe during the meeting, he testified.
 
Monroe, 54, a former tenant of Bashara, served 10 years in prison for a 1997 bank robbery in Wayne County, according to court records.
 
Bashara, 55, is charged with murder in the death of his wife, Jane, 56, in the garage of the couple’s Grosse Pointe Park home in January 2012.
 
Joe Gentz, 49, formerly of St. Clair Shores, says he strangled Jane Bashara under threat of and promise of payment from Bashara. Gentz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is serving 17 to 28 years in prison under the agreement to testify against Bashara.
 
Bashara is serving 80 months in prison for trying to have Gentz killed in June 2012 while housed in a Wayne County Jail facility.
 
Source: http://www.macombdaily.com/general-news/20130919/drug-sale-admission-in-bashara-case-wont-lead-to-arrest

[Darkman]

Bob Bashara tells judge "I'm Blessed" during first appearance in Circuit Court

Posted: 09/20/2013
Last Updated: 14 hours ago


DETROIT (WXYZ) - Bob Bashara appeared in the Wayne County Circuit court for the first time today. When he approached the bench, he spoke briefly with Judge Vonda Evans, telling her “I’m blessed.”

The comments came during Bashara's arraignment on murder charges in the death of his wife Jane. A not guilty plea was entered during the hearing.

Today's hearing follows last week's preliminary examination in the case. The hearing included testimony about Bob Bashara's alternative lifestyle, a lifestyle that included bondage, BDSM and a mistress.

During today's hearing, Evans ordered Bashara to stand trial on March 3. He is currently serving time for trying to hire a hitman to kill his handyman Joe Gentz.

Gentz has admitted to killing Jane Bashara, but says Bob Bashara ordered him to do it.

Bashara denies the accusation.

Read more: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/wayne_county/bob-bashara-tells-judge-im-blessed

(includes Video)

[Darkman]

Bob Bashara Pleads Not Guilty In Wife’s Murder

September 20, 2013 10:56 AM

DETROIT (WWJ) – Grosse Pointe Park businessman Bob Bashara has pleaded not guilty in the death of his wife, found strangled last year.

...

A trial date was set for March 3, 2014. Pre-trial motions are due by Dec. 11.

Read more: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/09/20/bob-bashara-pleads-not-guilty-to-wifes-murder/

[Darkman]

Detroit
September 20, 2013
Bashara murder trial to start in March
 
By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer
 
The trial for Grosse Pointe Park businessman Robert “Bob” Bashara — who’s accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife, Jane Bashara, on Jan. 24, 2012 — won’t get underway until next year.

During an arraignment on information Sept. 20 in front of 3rd Circuit Court Judge Vonda Evans, the judge and attorneys for the prosecution and defense established dates for upcoming court appearances in what’s expected to be a lengthy trail. Evans entered a plea of “not guilty” on Bashara’s behalf.

At press time, a final conference date was set for Dec. 11, and Evans said both sets of attorneys would need to file any motions in the case no later than Dec. 6.

Renee Cooper, one of the attorneys representing Bashara, and Lisa Lindsey, one of the Wayne County prosecutors handling the case, both said they believed they’d be filing a number of motions. Evans said those motions will determine what is and isn’t admitted into the trial.

The Dec. 11 date was reached after Cooper said the initial suggested date of Nov. 8 wouldn’t give the defense attorneys adequate time to prepare.

“We really need the transcript (from the preliminary exam)” first, Cooper said.

Evans said she expected that document would be ready soon, but acknowledged that the weeklong hearing would be producing a lot of material for the attorneys to review.

“I know it’s going to be a voluminous transcript,” Evans said.

A jury trial was slated, at press time, to start March 3, 2014. Evans said jury selection would likely take at least the first couple of days.

With dozens of witnesses and thousands of pages of documents, the trial is expected to be far longer than the recent preliminary examination, which included testimony from 30 witnesses.

“We anticipate that it’s going to be a lengthy trial,” Lindsey said.

To enable Bashara to meet with his attorneys regularly to prepare for the trial, Evans offered to allow the defendant to stay in the Wayne County Jail, rather than be returned to the Oaks Correctional Facility in Manistee, where Bashara currently is serving six to 20 years after pleading guilty last November to solicitation of murder for attempting to hire someone to kill Joseph Gentz, the handyman Bashara allegedly hired to kill his wife. When asked if he’d prefer to have Bashara kept in custody locally, Cooper immediately responded, “Absolutely, judge — please.”

With regard to his wife’s slaying, Bashara has been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder, suborning of perjury during a capital trial, witness intimidation and obstruction of justice. Following a revelation during the preliminary examination that Bashara also allegedly used his mother’s bank safe deposit box to conceal a .32-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, he’s now also facing a felony firearm charge.
 
You can reach C & G Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1047.

Source: https://www.candgnews.com/news/bashara-murder-trial-start-march

[Darkman]

September 20, 2013 at 5:45 pm

Bashara arraigned in wife's slaying

Tom Greenwood
The Detroit News

Bob Bashara is seen before Judge Kenneth King at Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit last week. (David Coates / The Detroit News)

Detroit — Following what a judge described as a “bizarre” five-day preliminary hearing last week, Robert Bashara was arraigned Friday on a first-degree murder charge on claims he arranged his wife’s 2012 killing so he could pursue a different lifestyle.
 
Bashara’s case was before Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda Evans Friday at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice.
 
“Good morning, Mr. Bashara. How are you today?" Evans asked when Bashara appeared before her.
 
“I’m blessed, your honor,” said Bashara, wearing a Wayne County Jail jumpsuit.
 
The court entered a not-guilty plea on Bashara’s behalf, and Evans agreed the defendant could remain lodged at the Wayne County Jail so he could have better access to his defense attorneys.
 
“We anticipate it’s going to be a lengthy trial,” assistant prosecutor Lisa Lindsey told the judge.
 
A trial date of March 3 was set by Evans as well as a final conference date of Dec. 11.
 
Bashara thanked Evans before he left the courtroom.
 
Bashara, 55, is accused of hiring his handyman, Joseph Gentz, to strangle his 56-year-old wife, Jane, on Jan. 24, 2012, in their Grosse Pointe Park garage. Gentz has pleaded guilty to killing the marketing executive, while Bashara has admitted he tried to hire a hit man to kill Gentz, fearing he’d talk to authorities.
 
Jane Bashara’s body was found Jan. 25, 2012. She was strangled to death in her car, which was found abandoned in an alley on the east side of Detroit.
 
Last week’s hearing featured more than 30 witnesses and so much evidence “we probably could have just skipped the exam and gone straight to trial,” 36th District Judge Kenneth King said then.
 
tgreenwood@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2023
 
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130920/METRO01/309200075

[Darkman]

Attorney appeals Joseph Gentz's murder conviction

10:22 PM, September 25, 2013
 
By Elisha Anderson
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer
 
 
An attorney for a former handyman in prison for killing a Grosse Pointe Park woman is appealing the man’s murder conviction.
 
Phillip Comorski, an appellate lawyer appointed to represent Joseph Gentz, said in a document filed with the Michigan Court of Appeals that Gentz wrote a letter to Wayne County Circuit Court indicating “certain conditional promises associated with the plea were not fulfilled by the prosecutor.”
 
Gentz didn’t fully understand the second-degree murder plea he was entering into, Comorski said.
 
“The trial court failed to adequately address the claims of the letter, and the trial court erroneously conducted a post-conviction hearing without his appellate lawyer,” said the document filed Friday.
 
Comorski argued that Gentz should be allowed to withdraw his plea or receive a hearing regarding the letter he wrote that listed reasons why he wanted to withdraw the plea.
 
It’s the latest filing in a case that has taken repeated twists since Jane Bashara was found strangled in her SUV in January 2012.
 
Gentz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in December, admitting he killed her, and was sentenced to 17-28 years in prison. He said that Bashara’s husband, Bob Bashara, offered him money to kill Jane Bashara and threatened him.
 
Bob Bashara has been charged with first-degree murder in his wife’s death and was ordered to stand trial this month. Bashara has repeatedly proclaimed he is innocent, but he is behind bars after pleading guilty to solicitation of murder for trying to have Gentz killed.
 
In August, after Gentz sent the letter, he returned to a Detroit courtroom with Susan Reed, the attorney who has represented him throughout the case. Gentz told Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda Evans that he wanted to withdraw the letter.
 
Reed said she explained to Gentz, who court records show has a below-average IQ but who was deemed mentally competent to stand trial, that withdrawing his plea would mean again facing a charge of first-degree murder and, if convicted, life in prison.
 
Reed could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Several messages were left for Comorski, but he also could not be reached.
 
A spokeswoman for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment on specifics of the case.
 
“Our office policy is to respond by brief and in court, but not in the press,” Maria Miller said. “We will be filing a responsive pleading in this case that will set forth our position.”
 
Robyn Frankel, an appellate attorney who has been practicing law since 1985, said a Court of Appeals panel of three judges will decide how to proceed with the case. They will either grant or deny the application filed with the court.

Contact: Elisha Anderson: 313-222-5144 or eanderson@freepress.com
 
Source: http://www.freep.com/article/20130925/NEWS02/309250152/Gentz-Bashara-appeal

[Darkman]

September 25, 2013 at 1:00 am
Attorney says letter key to Gentz appeal in Bashara case

Lauren Abdel-Razzaq
The Detroit News


A lawyer representing Joseph Gentz, the handyman convicted of killing Jane Bashara in her Grosse Pointe Park garage, is asking a court to reconsider his murder conviction.

Phillip Comorski, the attorney assigned to handle Gentz’s appeal, filed a document with the court Friday, asking that a letter Gentz sent to the Wayne County Circuit Court back in June be examined in court.

According to Comorski, Gentz did not understand what he was entering into when he gave his second-degree murder plea.

“He had sent in the letter on his own and the judge held a hearing examining it without my knowledge,” Comorski said in a phone interview Wednesday.

“We’re asking, send the letter back and let the court address the letter properly with his attorney present.”

The court could decide to review the letter or not and at this point no decision has been made, Comorski said.

Gentz pleaded guilty in December and was sentenced to 17-28 years in prison.

Robert Bashara, 55, is accused of hiring Gentz, to strangle his 56-year-old wife, Jane. Gentz has pleaded guilty to killing the marketing executive, while Bashara has admitted he tried to hire a hit man to kill Gentz, fearing he’d talk to authorities.

Bashara was arraigned Friday on a first-degree murder charge on claims he arranged his wife’s 2012 killing so he could pursue a different lifestyle. A trial date has been set for March 3.

Jane Bashara’s body was found Jan. 25, 2012. She was strangled to death in her car, which was found abandoned in an alley on the east side of Detroit.

lrazzaq@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2127
www.twitter.com/laurenarazzaq

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130925/METRO/309250139

[Darkman]

Prosecutors urge court to deny Joseph Gentz appeal in Jane Bashara murder case

6:45 PM, October 23, 2013

By Elisha Anderson, Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

Prosecutors responded to an appeal filed by the new attorney for Joseph Gentz — the man convicted of murdering a Grosse Pointe Park woman — and are arguing it should be denied.

In a document filed with the Michigan Court of Appeals late last week, they said the former handyman, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the January 2012 death of Jane Bashara, can’t challenge his plea on appeal unless he has moved to withdraw the plea on the same basis in the trial court.

“Defendant in this case was charged with murder, was represented by counsel and had entered into a plea agreement with the people,” prosecutors said. “He made an informed decision to enter into a plea agreement with the people and plead guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder.”

The filing came about a month after Phillip Comorski, appointed to represent Gentz in June, appealed the case.

Gentz was sentenced to 17-28 years in prison in February and said that Bashara’s husband, Bob Bashara, offered him money to kill Jane Bashara and threatened him.

Comorski argued that Gentz should be allowed to withdraw his plea or receive a hearing regarding a letter he wrote that listed reasons why he wanted to withdraw the plea.

He said in court documents that Gentz wrote a letter to Wayne County Circuit Court indicating “certain conditional promises associated with the plea were not fulfilled by the prosecutor.”

“The trial court failed to adequately address the claims of the letter, and the trial court erroneously conducted a post-conviction hearing without his appellate lawyer,” he wrote.

Prosecutors countered that “a defendant is not entitled to the appointment of his choice of attorney, and in this case, defendant did not object to Susan Reed serving as his counsel and has expressed no dissatisfaction with the representation she provided him at the July 17 hearing.”

That’s when Gentz appeared in court with Reed, the attorney who has represented him throughout the case, and told Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda Evans that he wanted to withdraw his plea.

Comorski said he hasn’t seen the letter, and it’s under seal. He said the hearing was held without his knowledge, and he wants to find out whether there were additional considerations offered to Gentz that were not followed through on.

“That can only be done by holding a proper hearing in front of the judge with the attorney that’s representing him on appeal,” he said Wednesday. “Not the attorney that represented him during the pretrial or plea negotiation stage.”

The Free Press could not reach Reed for comment Wednesday.

At the time of the hearing, Reed said she explained to Gentz — who court records show has a below-average IQ but who was deemed mentally competent to stand trial — that withdrawing his plea would mean again facing a charge of first-degree murder and, if convicted, life in prison.

Bob Bashara has been charged with first-degree murder in his wife’s death and was ordered to stand trial. Bashara has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence, but he is behind bars after pleading guilty to solicitation of murder for trying to have Gentz killed.

Contact Elisha Anderson: 313-222-5144 or eanderson@freepress.com

Source: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013310230120

[Darkman]

Grosse Pointe Park's Bob Bashara, charged with killing wife, to appear in Detroit courtroom Tuesday

By Gus Burns | fburns@mlive.com  

on December 09, 2013 at 3:03 PM, updated December 09, 2013 at 3:20 PM

DETROIT, MI -- The murder case against Robert "Bob" Bashara, the Grosse Pointe Park investor and landlord accused of killing his wife, moves closer to trial this week.

The 55-year-old -- he'll celebrate his 56th birthday Thursday -- is scheduled to be in Wayne County Circuit Court at 9 a.m. Tuesday for a pretrial conference before Judge Vonda Evans.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2013/12/grosse_pointe_parks_bob_bashar_4.html

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