Bashara pleads in scheme to kill murder suspect

DETROIT (AP) -- A Detroit-area man considered a person of interest in his wife's strangulation faces at least four years amd three months in prison for a scheme to kill the man charged in her slaying. Robert Bashara of Grosse Pointe Park made a plea last Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit. He admitted to trying to hire a man to kill handyman Joe Gentz. Gentz is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in the death of 56-year-old marketing executive Jane Bashara. Jane Bashara's body was found Jan. 25 in her Mercedes-Benz SUV in a Detroit alley. Authorities have said she was killed in the garage of the couple's home in the mostly upscale suburb just east of Detroit. Police have called Robert Bashara a person of interest but haven't charged him in her death. Gentz worked on occasion for Robert Bashara. Robert Bashara has said he had no role in his wife's killing. "In June of 2012, I foolishly and regrettably offered to pay Steve Tibaudo to find someone to kill Joseph Gentz," Bashara read last Thursday from a statement. "This took place in Wayne County." Tibaudo owns a Detroit furniture store. He told authorities he was offered $20,000 for the hit on Gentz. Robert Bashara was asked last Thursday by Circuit Judge Bruce Morrow if the had any questions regarding his plea. "No sir, I do not. I understand this," Bashara replied. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 20. Published: Mon, Oct 15, 2012