Jane Bashara murdered by Joe Gentz, alleges her husband was involved/Bashara arrested & arraigned on chges of solicitation to murder/Gentz pleads GUILTY to 2nd degree murder/Bashara sentenced to life: 'May Jane now truly rest in peace'

Griem denied motion to leave Bashara

Posted: Jul 19, 2012 11:20 AM CDT
Updated: Jul 19, 2012 12:56 PM CDT

By myFOXDetroit.com Staff

DETROIT (WJBK) -
A 36th District Court judge has denied a motion by attorney David Griem to withdraw from representing Bob Bashara.

On Wednesday, David Griem filed an emergency motion notifying Detroit's 36th District Court he wished to withdraw as Bashara's attorney. In the paperwork, he cited a breakdown in the relationship with Bashara.

In the motion Griem wrote: "There has been an irreparable breakdown in the attorney/client relationship."

Bashara is currently behind bars on charges he attempted to hire a hit man to kill Joe Gentz, the handyman charged with the first degree murder of Bashara's wife. Gentz claims Bashara hired him to kill his wife.

Legal analyst Charlie Langton says if Griem wants off the case, he's going to have to give the judge a better reason than a relationship breakdown. Langton also says it's a "big deal" that Griem filed the motion just days before the preliminary exam.

It appears Langton was right. Judge Kenneth J. King said Griem didn't provide a compelling reason to withdraw. King also had concerns about pushing back the exam after prosecutors said a key witness in the case had health problems.

King went on to say: "You just can't come in and say, 'I quit.' It doesn't work like that."

Bob Bashara sat in court during today's hearing and he has indicated that he wants a new attorney.

For the now Griem remains Bashara's attorney.

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U.S. News

Judge orders lawyer to stay on Bob Bashara case

Published: July 19, 2012 at 5:24 PM

DETROIT, July 19 (UPI) -- A lawyer who asked to withdraw from representing a man in a solicitation-for-murder case was ordered by a Detroit judge Thursday to stay on the case for now.

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Pretty good VIDEO at the Source ... from yesterday...

Bashara attorney wants out, again

Posted: Jul 18, 2012 9:14 PM CDT
Updated: Jul 18, 2012 9:14 PM CDT

By Taryn Asher

---- TEXT & VIDEO (2:34) ----

(WJBK) -
Another twist in the Jane Bashara murder case. The lawyer for her husband wants out.

On Wednesday, David Griem filed an emergency motion notifying Detroit's 36th District Court he wishes to withdraw as Bashara's attorney. In the paperwork, he cited a breakdown in the relationship with Bashara, a man who may need him now more than ever.

Bashara is currently behind bars on charges he attempted to hire a hit man to kill Joe Gentz. Gentz is the handyman charged with the first degree murder of Bashara's wife. Gentz claims Bashara hired him to kill his wife.

According to legal analyst Charlie Langton, if Griem wants off the case, he's going to have to start talking - giving the judge a better reason than a relationship breakdown. Langton also says it's a "big deal" that Griem filed the motion just days before the preliminary exam.

Griem did the same thing when he represented Stephen Grant in 2007. He said the two had "irreconcilable differences."

A hearing on Griem's request is scheduled for Thursday at 8:30am.

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July 18, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Bashara attorneys Griem, Utley ask to quit

By Christine Ferretti and George Hunter
The Detroit News

Detroit — Robert Bashara's defense team has filed an emergency motion seeking to stop representing him over an unspecified breakdown.

David Griem's office filed the motion Wednesday in 36th District Court to step down along with co-counsel Christina Utley. An emergency hearing is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Thursday before Chief Judge Kenneth King.

King said Griem will have to present a valid reason to step down. If the judge excuses him, Bashara may obtain other counsel.

"David Griem and Christina Utley both filed the motion to withdraw," King said. "They kept their comments very brief; they said it was an irreparable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship."

Griem in a statement released Wednesday said "no useful purpose would be served" by the defense attorneys commenting on why the relationship with Bashara has ceased.

"Suffice it to say that there has been a breakdown in that relationship; a result of which required us to file a motion to withdraw as counsel to Mr. Bashara," Griem wrote in the statement. "To say anything more would only intensify the media feeding frenzy which has made it difficult, if not impossible, for Mr. Bashara to get a fair trial, and therefore would not be in the best interest of justice."

If Griem is successful, it will be the second time in recent years he's withdrawn as attorney in a high-profile case. He also represented Stephen Grant, but quit after Grant told him that he'd killed and dismembered his wife, Tara Grant.

Bashara is charged with solicitation of murder on allegations he attempted to hire a hit man to kill handyman Joseph Gentz, who is charged in Bashara's wife's Jan. 24 killing.

Utley confirmed Wednesday that she was retained by Bashara in May before any charges were filed against him. The defense team was assembled in anticipation of potential charges filed in connection with his wife's death.

Griem's statement added that the attorneys "hope for two things."

"First, that the killer(s) of Jane Bashara is found and fully prosecuted under the law," he said. "Secondly, but most importantly, that both the Bashara and Ellerbrecht families find some measure of peace as they continue to heal from the pain that has consumed their lives."

Maria Miller, a spokeswoman for the Wayne County Prosecutor's office, said Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey will appear in court for the motion hearing. Miller added the prosecutor's office had no comment about the defense counsel's request to resign.

Gentz is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in Jane Bashara's murder. The St. Clair Shores man claims Robert Bashara offered him $2,000 and a car to kill Jane.

Bashara was charged with solicitation of murder in June. Prosecutors say he met with an alleged hit man several times between June 8 and June 25 in an attempt to have Gentz killed in the Wayne County Jail. Bashara is due back in court July 24.

Griem has denied the charges, contending Bashara claims he was set up.

Griem previously told The News there is a court order in place barring him from discussing details of the solicitation case.

Findings from an independent mental evaluation revealed last week determined Gentz is competent to stand trial in Jane Bashara's killing. A prior court-ordered mental review also found Gentz competent. Gentz's attorney, Susan Reed, has said the findings clear the way for plea negotiations for her client.

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Judge: Bashara's Attorney Must Remain on Case

Despite being a mutual motion by David Griem and Bob Bashara, a 36th District Court judge ruled Thursday that Griem must remain on the case and the preliminary exam for next week must go on. Griem was ordered to help any new attorney hired in the case.

12:26 pm

Less than a week before his preliminary exam in 36th District Court, Bob Bashara's attorney David Griem sought to be relieved of the case due to a change in the pair's relationship.

Bashara is accused of trying to hire a hitman to kill Joe Gentz, a handyman who is facing charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder of Jane Bashara, Bob Bashara's wife. Both Bob Bashara and Joe Gentz are being held at separate Wayne County lockup facilities. Gentz was most recently found competent to stand trial after undergoing two evaluations.

Bob Bashara agrees with his attorney's motion, according to Local 4 WDIV, which reported that Bashara is scheduled to interview new potential attorneys today and Friday.

Griem's motion was filed Wednesday and 36th District Court Judge Kenneth J. King ruled Thursday that Griem must remain on the case and help any new attorney that might be hired by Bashara, according to the Detroit Free Press.

In his ruling Thursday, King also stated that the preliminary exam scheduled for next Tuesday must happen as an important witness in the case has health problems that are of concern to the court, according to the Free Press.

The preliminary exam is a hearing in which the judge determines whether the prosecutor's have sufficient evidence to continue pursuing the charge filed against the defendent.

While preliminary exams are often waived by the person accused of the crime, generally in higher profile cases that include offenses carrying life sentences, such as Bashara's, the hearing is not waived.

Should Bashara choose to have his preliminary exam, there will likely be the introduction of evidence, including witness testimony--all of which is evaluated by the judge to determine whether the case may continue.

During Bashara's arraignment, Griem hinted repeatedly at the possibility of the preliminary exam taking two days to complete--a likely indication that many wintnesses are scheduled to testify.

Although neither Griem nor Bashara explained the specific reasons for wanting to part ways, both told the judge they wanted to go their own way, according to the Free Press.

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How Unpopular Is Bob Bashara? His Attorney Wants To Quit But Judge Says No

July 18th, 2012, 5:13 PM



How unpopular is Robert Bashara these days?

Answer: Even his attorney David Griem wants to quit.

But apparently the unholy alliance will remain, at least for now.

Chief 36th District Judge Kenneth King ruled at a hearing this morning that Griem had not provided a compelling enough reason to bow out before Bashara's preliminary examination next Tuesday, even though Griem claimed they had a problematic relationship, according to the Detroit Free Press. Bashara also asked for new counsel.

The judge, in issuing his ruling to keep Griem onboard, said he was also concerned about delaying the preliminary examination, in part, because a key witness has health issues.

Bashara is currently behind bars awaiting trial on charges that he hired a hitman to kill Joe Gentz, the man accused of killing his wife Jane.

Bashara is also a suspect in the death of his wife, but has not been charged.

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More of the same ... but under different heading...

JULY 20, 2012 AT 1:00 AM
Judge: Bashara lawyers fail to give good reason to step down

By Christine Ferretti
The Detroit News

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Read at the Source above...

Attorney David Griem must stay on the Bob Bashara case for now, judge rules UPDATED

Published: Friday, July 20, 2012

By JAMESON COOK
For The Oakland Press

Bob Bashara and David Griem were denied in their attempt to remove Griem as Bashara’s attorney for his solicitation of murder charge related to the murder of Bashara’s wife.

Chief Judge Kenneth King of 36th District Court in Detroit refused to allow Griem and co-counsel Christina Utley to withdraw as Bashara’s legal counsel only days before Bashara’s preliminary examination, despite vigorous arguments from both Bashara and Griem.

Bashara, handcuffed and dressed in a button-up shirt, said he wants to hire a new attorney in the next couple of days, and argued the new legal eagle would not have enough time to prepare for Tuesday’s preliminary examination.

“(Not allowing) a week or two to for a new attorney to represent me would not be in my best interest for fairness, for me getting a fair shake and a fair opportunity to defend myself, sir,” Bashara told the judge.

King allowed Bashara to hire a new attorney before the preliminary examination Tuesday but at the same time ordered that Griem stay on the case and serve as advisory counsel to help cure the short preparation time. He called it a “good compromise.”

“You just can’t come in and say, ‘I quit,’” King told Griem. “It doesn’t work like that.”

King wanted more explanation for the withdrawal, but Griem countered he didn’t have to provide details because both he and his client agree to it.

Griem, after the hearing, said he planned to appeal the ruling to Wayne County Circuit Court, possibly Thursday afternoon.

Bashara didn’t detail why he wanted Griem to go but said he has become “a little less effective than I would have hoped for” in recent times. He alluded to information about the case that has become public and being treated “terribly” by both the prosecution and media.

Griem, like he has several times previously, decried police and prosecution ”leaks” and accused assistant Wayne County prosecutor Robert Moran of leaking information at the hearing by saying the lives of other people involved in the case “may have been threatened” recently, while arguing to hold the preliminary examination as soon as possible.
“He just made a leak,” Griem yelled. “It’s so highly inappropriate. It’s so highly prejudicial.”

Assistant prosecutor Lisa Lindsey questioned whether the withdrawal request was a “delaying tactic,” noting that Griem in the past few days twice asked the prosecution to agree to an adjournment and then suddenly Wednesday wanted to resign.

Griem denied that claim and said he asked for the delay for “another reason” but didn’t elaborate.

Moran also argued the hearing should be held as soon as possible because one of the three scheduled witnesses is in poor health.

“He has a number of health issues,” Moran said. “He is complaining about health issues almost on a daily basis.”

But Griem discounted the claim, saying the witness is the type of person who makes it his “lifestyle to complain about his health” and often laughs about it.

“It’s not like he’s on death’s door” Bashara added.

But King said he didn’t want to delay to prejudice the prosecution.

Other matters arose during the hearing.

Lindsey accused Griem of violating King’s order that no evidence in the case can be divulged to anyone after Jane Bashara’s sister found about 40 pages of evidentiary documents in the Bashara home in Grosse Pointe Park.
Griem admitted in court that he shared information with Bashara’s mother and “another person.”

He said he wasn’t sure the order would cover “talking with the mother of the defendant, an 80-some-year-old woman who is out of her wits” over her son being charged with solicitation of murder and a person of interest in Jane Bashara’s death.

That issue, as well as another issue regarding subpoenas in the case, will be addressed at a subsequent hearing, the judge decided.

Bashara, 54, is accused of trying to hire someone to kill his former handyman, Joe Gentz, 48, who is charged with the Jane Bashara murder and conspiracy. According to reports, Gentz, a former Macomb County resident, has told police Bashara hired him to kill her. Gentz’s preliminary examination is scheduled for Aug. 13 in 36th District Court.

Jane Bashara, 56, was strangled in January in the Bashara’s garage on Middlesex Street, and her body found the next morning in her SUV parked in an alley on Detroit’s east side.

Bob Bashara has not been charged with any crime related to the murder. But he is accused of giving a would-be hit man money to kill Gentz in June after Gentz was arrested for the murder and in custody at a Hamtramck detention facility.

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Judge won't let Bashara's attorney quit case

July 20, 2012

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.... Nice photo gallery at the above source ... (14 photos)

Here are some of them: (click on Spoiler below to view more)

Spoiler:

I am not sure how accurate this is, but there is possibly another hearing ... on Friday

"At the request of Wayne County prosecutors, another hearing was for Friday to see if Griem violated a court order in disclosing certain material connected to the case to a member of Bashara’s family."

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Per this Source: (mentioned earlier) [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

That is weird to see the request for new representation go that way. I am really liking this Judge. Darkman, for the updates. I can see why you were chosen to help moderate some other forums. Seems like I could learn a lot from you.

... somewhat updated article ...


By Jameson Cook
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Posted: 07/20/12 12:01 am
Updated: 07/20/12 10:29 am

Bob Bashara and David Griem were denied in their attempt to remove Griem as Bashara’s attorney for his solicitation of murder charge related to the murder of Bashara’s wife.

Chief Judge Kenneth King of 36th District Court in Detroit refused to allow Griem and co-counsel Christina Utley to withdraw as Bashara’s legal counsel only days before Bashara’s preliminary examination, despite vigorous arguments from both Bashara and Griem.

Bashara, handcuffed and dressed in a button-up shirt, said he wants to hire a new attorney in the next couple of days, and argued the new legal eagle would not have enough time to prepare for Tuesday’s preliminary examination.

“(Not allowing) a week or two to for a new attorney to represent me would not be in my best interest for fairness, for me getting a fair shake and a fair opportunity to defend myself, sir,” Bashara told the judge.

King allowed Bashara to hire a new attorney before the preliminary examination Tuesday but at the same time ordered that Griem stay on the case and serve as advisory counsel to help cure the short preparation time. He called it a “good compromise.”

“You just can’t come in and say, ‘I quit,’” King told Griem. “It doesn’t work like that.”

King wanted more explanation for the withdrawal, but Griem countered he didn’t have to provide details because both he and his client agree to it.

Griem, after the hearing, said he planned to appeal the ruling to Wayne County Circuit Court, possibly Thursday afternoon.

Bashara didn’t detail why he wanted Griem to go but said he has become “a little less effective than I would have hoped for” in recent times. He alluded to information about the case that has become public and being treated “terribly” by both the prosecution and media.

Griem, like he has several times previously, decried police and prosecution ”leaks” and accused assistant Wayne County prosecutor Robert Moran of leaking information at the hearing by saying the lives of other people involved in the case “may have been threatened” recently, while arguing to hold the preliminary examination as soon as possible.

“He just made a leak,” Griem yelled. “It’s so highly inappropriate. It’s so highly prejudicial.”

Assistant prosecutor Lisa Lindsey questioned whether the withdrawal request was a “delaying tactic,” noting that Griem in the past few days twice asked the prosecution to agree to an adjournment and then suddenly Wednesday wanted to resign.

Griem denied that claim and said he asked for the delay for “another reason” but didn’t elaborate.

Moran also argued the hearing should be held as soon as possible because one of the three scheduled witnesses is in poor health. “He has a number of health issues,” Moran said.

“He is complaining about health issues almost on a daily basis.”

But Griem discounted the claim, saying the witness is the type of person who makes it his “lifestyle to complain about his health” and often laughs about it.

“It’s not like he’s on death’s door” Bashara added.

But King said he didn’t want to delay to prejudice the prosecution.

Other matters arose during the hearing.

Lindsey accused Griem of violating King’s order that no evidence in the case can be divulged to anyone after Jane Bashara’s sister found about 40 pages of evidentiary documents in the Bashara home in Grosse Pointe Park.

Griem admitted in court that he shared information with Bashara’s mother and “another person.”

He said he wasn’t sure the order would cover “talking with the mother of the defendant, an 80-some-year-old woman who is out of her wits” over her son being charged with solicitation of murder and a person of interest in Jane Bashara’s death.

That issue, as well as another issue regarding subpoenas in the case, will be addressed at a subsequent hearing, the judge decided.

Bashara, 54, is accused of trying to hire someone to kill his former handyman, Joe Gentz, 48, who is charged with the Jane Bashara murder and conspiracy. According to reports, Gentz, a former Macomb County resident, has told police Bashara hired him to kill her. Gentz’s preliminary examination is scheduled for Aug. 13 in 36th District Court.

Jane Bashara, 56, was strangled in January in the Bashara’s garage on Middlesex Street, and her body found the next morning in her SUV parked in an alley on Detroit’s east side.

Bob Bashara has not been charged with any crime related to the murder. But he is accused of giving a would-be hit man money to kill Gentz in June after Gentz was arrested for the murder and in custody at a Hamtramck detention facility.

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Not that he needs it, but I hereby deem Darkman as the Admin for the Bashara case.

What a fantastic job you do!! Impressed is an understatement!

Thanks ... but I might be "gone" from Bashara case again ... - again for 7 days (same as last time) ... - could be quite busy to participate...

... Will find out later on tonight, in a couple of hours, I guess ...

So if that happens ... i will not be here, more likely, on July 24th (the next time BB is due in court)

Ya... I am GONE... be back in 7 days :)

Thanks for letting us know.

By Crimesider Staff

CBS/WWJ) DETROIT - Bob Bashara has been ordered to stand trial for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill the man who claims Bashara paid him to kill his wife.
CBS Detroit reports that Joseph Gentz is currently facing murder and conspiracy charges in the murder of Jane Bashara, whose body was found in her Mercedes-Benz SUV in Detroit in January.

Police have called Bashara a "suspect" in his wife's killing, but he has not been charged.

On Tuesday a man named Steve Tibaudo, who owns a furniture and appliance store and wore a wire for the FBI, testified that Bashara asked him how to find a hitman and gave him $2,000 cash as a "down payment."

"He (Bashara) said, 'Can you arrange to have somebody take care of him?' He wanted (Gentz) killed. I told him, 'Anyone could be hit anywhere they are at,'" Tibaudo said.

"I was trying to, you know, convince him that, you know, that anything's possible, as far as taking somebody out of the equation ... so they can't testify against him," Tibaudo said.

CBS Detroit reports that Tibaudo also testified that Bashara talked about "taking care" of a female tenant who lived in one of Bashara's rental properties because she was "making his life hell."

In cross-examination, Bashara's attorney, David Griem, tried to poke holes in Tibaudo's testimony, saying it's clear the two aren't friends and reading a statement Tibaudo gave to prosecutors in which he called Bashara crazy.

Chief Judge Kenneth King ruled that there is enough evidence to take the case to trial. He also agreed to allow Bashara to appear in street clothes, instead of his jail uniform.

According to CBS Detroit, Griem filed an emergency motion earlier this month to be removed from defending Bashara because of a "breakdown" with his client. But the judge denied the request, saying a change in representation would unnecessarily delay the case. He denied another request by Griem on Tuesday to adjourn the case so another attorney can take over.

Bashara will be arraigned on solicitation of murder charges in Wayne County Circuit Court on July 31.

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Thank You, Darkman. Excellent compilation!

HC2

I have been following this case for a while. You have a nice crime board.

to VH, Justice4u!! It IS a nice board... You will love it here!

justice4u wrote:I have been following this case for a while. You have a nice crime board.

Well, ! I look forward to your thoughts on our board..the crimes, suggestions, etc.

Guest / Justice4u ??

Justice4u / Guest ??

Did i miss something ... or someone left the building already? ... or? :)

anyhow ... I am "Gone", AGAIN ... for another 7 days basically (more likely till next Friday or Saturday or something like that)

DETROIT -
Tuesday morning, Jane Bashara’s mother, Lorraine Englebrecht went to the Bashara home and found the locks had been changed and she could no longer get in. According to Englebrecht, Bob Bashara’s cousin Stephanie Samuel-Lucas has taken over control of the house.

The video is at this link [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

The murder of Jane Bashara still doesn't compute a month later to Stephanie Samuel-Lucas, Bob Bashara's first cousin.

"And she said, 'Jane is dead.' And I said, 'What?' I thought that she said, 'Jane's dad.' That she's going to tell me a story about Jane's dad," she said as she recalled how she found out about her cousin's wife's death. "Right then, my brain did not even comprehend the words 'Jane's dead.'"

Samuel-Lucas said Bob Bashara is much more of a brother to her.

I trust him with everything that I am," she said. "He is the best big brother that I could have ever wanted. And I just know without a doubt he had absolutely nothing to do with Jane's murder."

But who did?

Samuel-Lucas admitted that the suspicions around Bob Bashara have created a bit of divide in a family that had been rock-solid and air-tight for so long.

"The thing about the Bashara family is that we are so tight and we have no secrets," she said.

Were there any secrets?

She has not ignored the coverage and the leaks that have sprung about everything from a a failed marriage, a failed lie detector test and accusations of her cousin's alternative lifestyle -- his secret life.

Was there an affair? Did Bob Bashara have an S&M life leading him away from Jane?

"Quite honestly, it's irrelevant," Samuel-Lucas said. "And so many people would say, 'No, it's not.' Well, you know what? It is. Because what's happening is everybody is sitting here waiting to find out who killed Jane. No one's got anything to do right now. Twiddling their thumbs. Well, let's talk about this ... let's talk about that."

She would rather talk about what seems to her as the obvious. She has a difficult time understanding the way police have dealt with Joe Gentz, the handyman who Samuel-Lucas says had been hounding Bob Basahara for work.

"Well, Joe kept calling Bob saying, 'Hey, I need some side jobs. I need some money.' Bob was saying, 'I don't have any right now. I will let you know.' Well, this Joe guy within a three-week time span had called Bob 12 times demanding work. Demanding money. It started to get to the point where it was harassing phone calls," she said.

Samuel-Lucas can't understand how investigators have treated Gentz's confession.http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/investigations/Bob-Bashara-s-cousin-speaks-about-Grosse-Pointe-Park-tragedy/-/1719314/9152134/-/44m9wyz/-/index.html

Another video at this link

Families clash at Bashara's Grosse Pointe Park home

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Defense attorney David Griem on Tuesday acknowledged criticism for withdrawing as Bob Bashara’s defense attorney. A few years ago, Griem quit another high-profile murder defendant, Stephen Grant.

Griem said outside 36th District Court in Detroit following Bashara’s preliminary examination that attorney rules prevent him from providing details of why he quit both the Bashara and Grant cases, two of the most publicized criminal cases in metro Detroit.

Griem, with Bashara’s approval, last week tried to withdraw from the case but was rebuffed by Chief Judge Kenneth King, who said he wasn’t convinced Griem should leave and didn’t want to postpone the preliminary exam.

Griem while talking to reporters Tuesday scolded those who have suggested that Griem “bailed” on Bashara.

“Whichever of you reported, ‘Griem bailed on the case,’ shame on you,” he said. “I’ve never bailed on anything in my life.”

Attorneys commonly withdraw from cases, sometimes with support of the client, he said.

“Unfortunately, I guess for me that’s two more high-profile cases in recent times,” he said.

Griem said he and Bashara differ on case strategy and asserted that attorney-client privilege prevents him from detailing the reasons. Revealing the differences also would tip off Wayne County prosecuting attorneys.

“I’m in a position with my hands tied behind my back,” he said. Continued... [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

It shouldn't be legal for Bashera to give his cousin POA over the things in that house! Surely the parents can get a lawyer to help them find out how to "freeze" everything until it can be divided equitably.

I agree that should not be legal. Did Jane have a will? I have not read anything about a will any where.

The arraignment of Bob Bashara, who is accused of hiring a hit man to kill Joseph Gentz, a former St. Clair Shores resident, was adjourned by Wayne County Circuit Judge Bruce Morrow until 8:30 a.m., Aug. 7.

The adjournment was requested by Bashara’s attorney, David Griem, who also received permission from the judge to step down from defending Bashara, a Grosse Pointe Park resident.

Bashara’s new attorney is Mark Kriger, who is representing another defendant in an unrelated trial in U.S. District Court in Detroit. Griem informed the judge that Kriger believes that trial will conclude by Friday.

After the hearing, Griem told reporters he expects that Bashara will eventually be charged with his wife’s murder. He said Bashara has been the victim of a charade for the past seven months since his wife’s body was found Jan. 25 in her sport utility vehicle in an alley in Detroit.
Gentz has been charged with Jane Bashara’s murder. Griem said the Wayne County prosecutor’s office has been using prosecutor’s subpoenas to put the case together, but he believes those subpoenas were not appropriate and took issue with them. The case is now before the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Griem said getting out of the case gives him a sense of relief, even though he and co-counsel Christina Y. Utley thought they had a 50-50 chance of winning.

“Instead of fighting one war we were in position to fight two wars,” Griem said. “I hope the jury makes their decision based on the facts presented in a courtroom and not what they see in the media.”

In other developments, the popular Dylan’s Raw Bar & Grille on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Park has temporarily closed and may re-locate, according to a notice on the eatery’s website.

Published: Wednesday, August 01, 2012
The arraignment of Bob Bashara, who is accused of hiring a hit man to kill Joseph Gentz, a former St. Clair Shores resident, was adjourned by Wayne County Circuit Judge Bruce Morrow until 8:30 a.m., Aug. 7.

The adjournment was requested by Bashara’s attorney, David Griem, who also received permission from the judge to step down from defending Bashara, a Grosse Pointe Park resident.

Bashara’s new attorney is Mark Kriger, who is representing another defendant in an unrelated trial in U.S. District Court in Detroit. Griem informed the judge that Kriger believes that trial will conclude by Friday.

After the hearing, Griem told reporters he expects that Bashara will eventually be charged with his wife’s murder. He said Bashara has been the victim of a charade for the past seven months since his wife’s body was found Jan. 25 in her sport utility vehicle in an alley in Detroit.


Gentz has been charged with Jane Bashara’s murder. Griem said the Wayne County prosecutor’s office has been using prosecutor’s subpoenas to put the case together, but he believes those subpoenas were not appropriate and took issue with them. The case is now before the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Griem said getting out of the case gives him a sense of relief, even though he and co-counsel Christina Y. Utley thought they had a 50-50 chance of winning.

“Instead of fighting one war we were in position to fight two wars,” Griem said. “I hope the jury makes their decision based on the facts presented in a courtroom and not what they see in the media.”

In other developments, the popular Dylan’s Raw Bar & Grille on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Park has temporarily closed and may re-locate, according to a notice on the eatery’s website.

Dylan’s is located in a building owned by Bashara and is a few doors down from the closed Hard Luck Lounge, where he allegedly ran a sex dungeon in the basement.

“It is with regret that we announce Dylan’s will be closing — temporarily — due to circumstances beyond our control,” owner Rocco Cinqueranelli said in the message. Continued...http://thenewsherald.com/articles/2012/08/01/news/doc50191d63416b0030483260.txt?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Bob Bashara wants to tell his side of the story and plans to testify in his own defense, his former attorney David Griem said this morning after a brief appearance in Wayne County Circuit Court.

“He’s always had a desire to have his story be heard,” Griem said. He did not shed any light on what that story will be.

Bashara’s arraignment in circuit court, scheduled for this morning, was adjourned until Aug. 7 when his new attorney Mark Kriger can be present.

Bashara is charged with trying to hire someone to orchestrate a hit on handyman Joe Gentz, a man charged with murdering Bashara’s wife. Bashara appeared in a Detroit courtroom this morning wearing green jail clothing with red patch pockets, white socks and tan sandals. He carried a yellow notepad in his right hand. No cameras were allowed inside the courtroom today.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Bruce Morrow allowed Griem and fellow attorney Christina Utley to turn the case over to Kriger, who was not in court today because he’s involved in an ongoing federal trial. Utley called Kriger a great attorney with a stellar reputation outside the courtroom.

But Griem said prosecutors are “overwhelming favorites” in the case, adding that Las Vegas odds-makers would make them the “prohibitive favorite based on what’s happened over the past seven months.”

Bashara has not been charged in his wife’s death, but police have called him a person of interest. Gentz told authorities he killed Jane Bashara in late January at her husband’s behest.

Griem predicted Bashara will be charged with his wife’s death, and that would “make winning twice a very difficult proposition.”

“There is going to be a second case – guaranteed,” Griem said, adding that the jury pool has been tainted, and there’s no way to undo the impact of negative pretrial publicity.

During Bashara’s preliminary examination held last week, Steve Tibaudo, the owner of Steve's Furniture & Appliances in Detroit, testified he used devices given to him by authorities to record conversations he had with Bashara.

He said Bashara approached him in June and asked him for help finding someone to kill Gentz. Prosecutors say Bashara was concerned about the possibility that Gentz would testify against him and wanted him dead.

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Bob Bashara was whisked in and out court Tuesday in just more than a minute as a not-guilty plea was entered during his arraignment on a charge of trying to arrange a contract killing on Joseph Gentz.

Bashara didn't say a word, and the Grosse Pointe Park businessman's new attorney Mark Kriger was nearly as terse in the appearance before Wayne County Circuit Presiding Judge Timothy Kenny.

Kriger waived hearing the formal charges and said Bashara was pleading not guilty to attempting to orchestrate a hit on Gentz, the handyman who said he killed Jane Bashara at her husband's direction.

A calendar conference to plan pretrial schedules was set for Aug. 17.

Outside court, Kriger was tight-lipped, a posture that could become the new normal -- a different stance from Bashara's previous attorney David Griem, who spoke to the news media many times after Jane Bashara's murder in January and her husband's arrest in June. Kriger took over the case last week from Griem, who said he and Bashara were irredeemably at odds.

"I don't talk about cases," Kriger told a bank of reporters and photographers outside Kenny's courtroom.

Kriger also said he wasn't "up to speed" because he hasn't received the evidence from prosecutors since he was in a federal court trial for the past six weeks.

Bashara has been under investigation but has not been charged since his wife's body was found Jan. 25 in her Mercedes-Benz SUV, dumped in an alley on Detroit's east side.

Gentz, a sometime handyman for Bashara's home and rental properties, went to Grosse Pointe Park police days later and said Bob Bashara hired him to kill his wife.

In June, Bashara was arrested on a charge of trying to have Gentz killed. He was ordered to stand trial after witness Steve Tibaudo testified he recorded conversations of Bashara seeking help to find someone who could kill Gentz in jail.

Tibaudo, who owns Steve's Furniture & Appliances in Detroit, testified Bashara gave him a $2,000 down payment on the alleged $20,000 hit.

Prosecutors say Bashara wanted Gentz silenced because he feared the handyman would testify against him.http://www.freep.com/article/20120808/NEWS01/308080058/Bob-Bashara-enters-not-guilty-plea-on-charges-of-attempting-to-arrange-contract-killing

LOL. Maybe he can call Casey or Drew for a good 'story'.

Where oh where is Darkman?

HippyChick2 wrote:LOL. Maybe he can call Casey or Drew for a good 'story'.

I am pretty sure darkman will be back when there is news to report. Anyone check his sandbox?

I haven't.

Bob Bashara will stand trial Nov. 12 on charges that he tried to hire a hit man to silence Joseph Gentz -- the man authorities say Bashara feared could link him to the January slaying of his wife, Jane Bashara.

The trial date was set Thursday. Bob Bashara will be tried before Wayne County Circuit Judge Bruce Morrow.

Bashara has been under police scrutiny -- but not charged -- since his wife's body was found Jan. 25 in her Mercedes-Benz SUV, dumped in an alley on Detroit's east side. She had been strangled.

Gentz, who sometimes did odd jobs around Bashara's Grosse Pointe Park home and his rental properties, told police soon after the killing that he did it at Bashara's direction.

In June, Bashara was arrested on a charge of trying to have Gentz killed. He was ordered to stand trial after Steve Tibaudo testified that he recorded conversations of Bashara seeking help to find someone who could kill Gentz in jail.

Tibaudo, a furniture and appliance store owner who had previous dealings with Bashara, testified Bashara gave him a $2,000 down payment on the alleged $20,000 hit.

Prosecutors allege that Bashara wanted Gentz silenced because he feared the handyman would testify against him.

Gentz is awaiting a preliminary examination in Detroit 36th District Court. He was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in Jane Bashara's death, although authorities have not said who he is alleged to have conspired with.



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A new prosecution court filing says that Bob Bashara has gone from a protected loved one to a near outcast disdained by his mother, sister and cousin.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office filing also said that Bashara threatened to disinherit his daughter and that he’s gotten a new girlfriend to do his bidding.

“I’m through,” the filing said Nancy Bashara told her son in July during a monitored telephone call from the Wayne County Jail where he is being held on a $15-million cash bond on a charge of solicitation to murder.

In the same July 4 call, prosecutors said, Bob Bashara was chastised by a cousin.

The next day, according to the filing, his sister Laura Maurer said: “You lost us, Bob, there is nobody to blame but yourself.”

Prosecutors also said that Bashara tried to intimidate his daughter Jessica “by threatening to cut (her) out of his will unless she supports him.”

The disclosures and characterizations are part of the prosecution's argument that Bashara doesn’t deserve his bond reduced on charges that he tried to find someone to silence his handyman, Joe Gentz, before Gentz could link him under oath to this wife’s slaying.

Gentz has told police that he killed Jane Bashara at her husband’s direction.

Bashara is scheduled to appear Thursday before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Bruce U. Morrow to ask for a bond reduction.

This morning, Bashara’s lawyer Mark Kriger declined to comment on the prosecutor’s filing and its characterizations of his client’s relationship with his family.

Tuesday, Kriger said only that the new bond he will request should be reasonable — an amount Bashara can post, while high enough to assure community safety and his appearance in court.

The prosecution filing paints a radically different family dynamic from the televised appearances with relatives who pronounced their love and support of Bob Bashara as authorities started suspecting he had a role in his wife’s murder. Jane Bashara was found dead in Detroit the day after her husband reported her missing from their home in Grosse Pointe Park in January.

“We’re all in this together,” Maurer told reporters camped outside Bashara’s home soon after Jane Bashara’s body was found strangled in her Mercedes-Benz SUV that was ditched in a Detroit alley.

“We know he’s incapable of this horrific act,” she said then. “He’s an innocent man.”

Bashara’s daughter appeared on "Good Morning America" in February, telling viewers: "Without a doubt in my mind, I know that he did not do it."

Nancy Bashara was at his side when he gave interviews to the Free Press and WDIV-TV (Channel 4)

The 14-page prosecution filing does not detail a specific father-daughter falling out, but says he “attempts to buttress his familial support” with threatened removal from his will.

Prosecutors said he made that threat during an unauthorized call from a jail social worker’s phone.

In July, the filing said, Bashara — in a monitored call from the phone available to inmates — asked his son to support him in a bid for “leniency …to get some sort of probation thing.”

Even locked up, prosecutors wrote, Bashara “continued to engage in a pattern of witness tampering, manipulation, intimidation and relations.” In a footnote, prosecutors said the jail phone calls show Bashara “has a new female who is eagerly conducting his bidding.”

Bashara reportedly had a kinky sex dungeon in the basement of one of his rental properties and carried on a long term relationship with a woman who later took out a personal protection order against him after Jane Bashara’s death.

Prosecutors said Bashara repeatedly tried to contact that woman through an unnamed third person.

The filing also alleges that Bashara got a tenant who had talked to authorities to sign an affidavit of support or face eviction.

The solicitation to murder carries a potential life sentence, and prosecutors’ calculation of sentencing guidelines say his minimum sentence is in the range of 6 ¾ to 11 ¼ years.

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WTH is wrong with these women that want to be with a Man who murdered his wife?

They must be nuts I guess.

Businessman Bob Bashara -- honored Rotarian, philanthropist, Episcopal vestryman and lifesaver -- will pledge all he has and surrender his passport and driver's license for his freedom on bond, his attorney Mark Kriger pleaded Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court.

But Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey countered that Bashara -- manipulator, bully, stalker and outcast -- should stay behind bars under a $15-million cash or surety bond to protect the community and prevent his possible flight from justice.

The two attorneys battled before Judge Bruce Morrow, who said he will rule by Tuesday on Kriger's request to reduce the bond that has kept his client jailed on a solicitation to murder charge.

Kriger said the current bond is unconstitutionally high, and a bond of $500,000 -- with 10% posted to free him -- was more in order. Even that, he said, would strain Bashara's assets.

"At this point, he is strapped financially," Kriger told the court.

Kriger said one of Bashara's commercial properties is being foreclosed on and his access to assets is limited. If released, Bashara could be electronically monitored and, if necessary, confined to his house 24 hours a day, he said.

"At least he could conduct business and try to keep his businesses afloat," Kriger said.

Bashara -- looking like a suburban stalwart in a gray suit, white shirt and muted tie instead of the usual jailhouse green scrubs -- watched as Kriger recounted his role as a tireless community fund-raiser and active church member.

The prosecution and defense differed on how much support Bashara has from his family.

"I'm through," his mother, Nancy Bashara, told him in July during a monitored telephone call from the Wayne County Jail, prosecutors told the court. That was said after she received information in the case against her son.

It's not true that his family has abandoned him, Kriger said.

"I've spoken to his mother. She's told me she's continuing to support him -- that she loves him very much, as do other members of the family," he said.

Kriger said it's not fair to use a snippet of a conversation to try to paint a portrait of what life is like between two people.

Bashara's cousin was in court Tuesday, but his mother was not. Nancy Bashara declined to comment when the Free Press contacted her by phone after the hearing.

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his bond does not get reduced. Let him sell his businesses if it is that bad.

lindamarie wrote: his bond does not get reduced. Let him sell his businesses if it is that bad.

I hope his bond does not get reduced. I agree with you LM, let him sell his businesses if it is that bad.

Wrap, I wondered the same thing, where is Darkman?

I agree too! Let him rot right there.
I'm wondering where Darkman is too!

I just went to his forum (http://janebashara.americantalk.net/) and it looks like he has not posted since July 20th. Hope he's OK.

Judge denies Bob Bashara's request to reduce $15M bond

12:45 PM, September 17, 2012 | 12 Comments

By Elisha Anderson
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

Wayne County Circuit Judge Bruce Morrow denied the request today, according to a court document.

Bashara is being held in the Wayne County Jail on a charge of solicitation to murder Joe Gentz, a handyman who told police he killed Bashara’s wife, Jane Bashara, at Bob Bashara’s direction.

Defense and prosecutors argued their case in front of Morrow on Thursday.

Mark Kriger, Bashara’s attorney, said the constitution provides that bond should not be excessive and asked Morrow to lower it.

Prosecutors opposed reducing his bond, saying it’s necessary because of the seriousness of the charge and Bashara’s potential danger to the community.

“I don’t feel it’s appropriate to comment on pending cases,” Kriger said when reached for comment today.

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SEPTEMBER 18, 2012BY: DAVE SCHULTZ

Last Thursday Bob Bashara’s attorney, Mark Kriger, argued a motion in Wayne County Circuit Court to have Bashara’s bond reduced.

On Monday, Judge Bruce Morrow denied the request leaving Bashara jailed on a $15-million bond.

Bashara is being held in Wayne County Jail on a charge of solicitation to murder. He allegedly tried to hire someone to kill Joseph Gentz, a handyman who told police he killed Bashara’s wife, Jane Bashara, at Bob Bashara’s direction.

Jane Bashara’s body was found Jan. 25 in her SUV, which was abandoned in an east side Detroit alley. She had been beaten and strangled. Bob Bashara had reported her missing from their Grosse Pointe Park home the previous evening.

Kriger had argued that the Constitution provides that bond should not be excessive and said a bond of $500,000 (with 10% posted to free him) was more in order. He said Bashara would strain his assets just to come up with that amount.

Prosecutors had opposed the bond reduction saying that because of the seriousness of the charge and Bashara’s potential danger to the community, it should remain high.

“The court’s decision not to modify Bashara’s bond was a sound one,” Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Maria Miller said. “We believe his activities prior to and during his incarceration clearly illustrate why he should remain in jail.”

Bashara is scheduled to stand trial on the solicitation charge starting Nov. 12; He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Gentz is being held on first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges. He has a scheduled preliminary hearing on Oct. 2.

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Jane Bashara's family says Bob is selling her items in St. Clair Shores

Murdered Grosse Pointe Park woman's family says husband won't let them have her items, he is selling them at St. Clair Shores yard sale

Author: Hank Winchester, Local 4 Reporter
Published On: Sep 20 2012 06:10:06 PM EDT Updated On: Sep 20 2012 07:13:38 PM EDT

Jane Bashara's family says Bob is selling late wife's items
GROSSE POINTE PARK, Mich. -
Jane Bashara's family members claim a newspaper ad promoting a rummage sale at a St. Clair Shores home includes items belonging to Jane, who was found dead in January.

Family members say clothing and collectibles which once belonged to the murdered Grosse Pointe Park mother are now up for sale. They say Jane's husband, Bob Bashara, who is locked up for allegedly trying to have a suspect in his wife's murder killed, has been keeping the items from them. Jane's family say Bob has been telling his family members to keep the items from Jane's family.

The St. Clair Shores home where the sale is scheduled to take place is owned by Bob's cousin Stephanie. Bob's aunt lives in the house. It's miles away from the Bashara home in Grosse Pointe Park, and Jane's family members say they believe that, too, is intentional because a sale in Grosse Pointe Park would draw far too much attention.

The battle over Jane's belongings has been dragging on for months. Earlier this years Jane's mother said she was locked out of the Bashara home. She said she was trying to get some of Jane's items to be passed on to her grandchildren.

"That's Jane's items in there. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm not going to let her take everything that Jane worked so hard for," said Lorraine Engelbrecht, Jane's mother.

Bob Bashara's attorney said he has not been told about the sale. He had no comment beyond that. Jane's family members say they are very disappointed and they hope Jane's items will not go to the highest bidder.

However, they now fear that if they want some of Jane's possessions, they may have to fight the crowds to get something to remember Jane.

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video at above link. Interesting.