Handyman charged in Bashara murder probe

By Corey Williams Associated Press DETROIT (AP) -- A handyman was charged Monday with murder in the strangulation of a suburban Detroit marketing executive, a death that has cast unflattering attention on the victim's husband and kept him under close scrutiny. Joe Gentz, in custody since last Friday, was arraigned via video from jail on first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges in the death of 56-year-old Jane Bashara. His court-appointed lawyer asked a Detroit district court magistrate Monday for a competency evaluation for Gentz. "I want to make sure he's mentally and emotionally able to assist me in this case," defense attorney Susan Reed later told reports outside the downtown courthouse. "He seems to be doing as well as can be expected," Reed continued. "He is concerned and he's worried and he's anxious." Bashara lived in Grosse Pointe Park, just blocks from Detroit. The discovery of her body in her Mercedes-Benz SUV in a decrepit Detroit neighborhood on Jan. 25 immediately stirred speculation that she had been snatched from the middle-to-upper-class suburb by a stranger. Then police named her husband, Bob Bashara, as a person of interest. He has not been charged, however, and denies any wrongdoing. The second charge levied against Gentz -- conspiracy -- appears to indicate prosecutors believe at least one other person had a hand in Jane Bashara's murder. "Conspiracy means they believe there's more than one person," said Reed, who added that she's had no discussions on a possible plea involving Gentz. In addition to Monday's charges, the investigation into who killed Jane Bashara continues, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "This case is neither cold nor closed. At the appropriate time, further information will be released," Worthy said. Magistrate Laura Echartea entered a not guilty plea Monday for Gentz and remanded him to the county jail without bond. A preliminary examination was set for March 16. Gentz did odd jobs for Bob Bashara, who owns commercial and residential properties in the Detroit area. "If in fact Joe Gentz murdered Jane Bashara, the family hopes that he burns in hell," said David Griem, attorney for Bob Bashara. "If somebody else was involved, only time is going to tell," Griem said. "Bob Bashara continues to maintain his innocence. His children, who so greatly miss their mother, the rock of their family, believe that he's innocent, and I believe he's innocent." ---------------- Ed White contributed to this report. Published: Wed, Mar 7, 2012