DETROIT (WWJ) - Handyman Joseph Gentz has been sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison in the murder of a Grosse Pointe Park marketing executive and mother of two.
Gentz pleaded guilty to second degree murder — telling the court he strangled Jane Bashara at the behest of her husband, Bob Bashara, who paid him $2,000 for the task.
Gentz offered the plea in a deal with prosecutors, offering his testimony in any upcoming trial related to this case. Gentz was also charged with conspiracy but that charge was dropped as part of the deal. Gentz’s attorney said Tuesday his client wants the truth to come out and would be willing to testify if Bob Bashara were to be charged in this case.
If Gentz had been convicted of first degree murder as charged he would have spent life in prison. He now faces a maximum of 28 years, with credit for time served.
Bob Bashara, has been called a suspect in her slaying, but has not been charged in her death. He was sentenced in a separate case to 80 months to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to hiring a hit man to kill Gentz in jail.
The body of Jane Bashara, 56, was found in her Mercedes-Benz SUV parked in an alley at a Detroit alley on Jan. 25.
Bob Bashara, who reported her missing the night before, continues to deny he played any role in her death. He’s currently imprisoned.
