Joe Gentz Found Competent to Stand Trial in Jane Bashara Murder Case
The handyman charged in the January strangulation death of Grosse Pointe Park resident Jane E. Bashara will undergo a second competency evaluation by an independent doctor at the request of his attorney.
The handyman who worked for Bob Bashara has been found competent to stand trial in the murder and conspiracy charges related to the strangulation death of Jane E. Bashara—a beloved member of the Grosse Pointe Park community, mother and avid volunteer.
Wayne County Deputy Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey announced the results of the evaluation Monday in 36th District Court during a brief hearing before Chief Judge Kenneth J. King.
Joseph Gentz, most recently of Grosse Pointe Park and formerly of St. Clair Shores, has been housed at Dickerson Lockup Facility since his March 2 arrest in Jane Bashara's January homicide.
His court-appointed attorney, Susan Reed, requested Monday that Gentz undergo a second competency evaluation by an independent doctor. She told the judge she had a doctor in mind but declined to identify the person until after the court order is signed.
The attorneys did not go into detail about the results of the first competency evaluation, but Lindsey said the results show he understands the charges against him as well his environment and the case.
Lindsey told the judge she was fine with Gentz being evaluated a second time. She explained to the judge that Gentz's attorney—Reed—is more comfortable with having the second evaluation before entering into any plea negotiations.
Both attorneys asked the judge to adjourn the competency hearing until after the second evaluation can be completed. King agreed and set a new competency hearing for July 23.
Reed said after Monday's hearing that she wants the second evaluation to make sure her client is indeed competent to stand trial. She said there are "issues there" prompting her request. She declined to provide more detail.
She said Gentz is nervous and worried, which she described as normal considering the charges and circumstances.
"He's doing fairly well," Reed said. "Of course, he's nervous. Of course, he's anxious because he's involved in this type of case."
His appearance in court Monday came two days after a group calling itself Justice 4 Jane launched its public campaign to bring closure to the case. The individual members of the group do not want to reveal their specific identities so the emphasis is on solving Jane Bashara's homicide, according to a press release sent to media.
Those involved are friends, community members of the Pointes and metro Detroit, and victim advocates throughout the country. The campaign includes the sale of yard signs, ribbon-car magnets, wristbands and tree ribbons, with proceeds to benefit Jane Bashara's favorite charities.
The yard signs have already started popping up in and around the Pointes, including on Middlesex where she and her husband Bob lived. Bob Bashara, according to the press release, is not involved but her birth family has given their approval of the campaign.
Bob Bashara remains a "person of interest" in his wife's violent death and the conspiracy charge against Gentz outlines that a second person was involved. He was required to provide a handwriting sample for detectives in mid-April.
His former mistress also filed a personal protection order against him in Wayne Circuit Court in late April, explaining that he would not stop contacting her despite her repeated requests.
She outlined several of his attempts to contact her and told the judge in that case she fears for her life as she did not know he was still married when they were in a relationship and learned of it only after Jane Bashara's body was found in the backseat of her SUV in Detroit in early January.
For more information on the Justice 4 Jane campaign, visit the website: http://justice4jane.forumotion.com/ or email justice4jane@yahoo.com
Pete Waldmeir, GP Woods
4:55 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Well, that's it! Bashara's guilty. Let's save the taxpayers the price of a trial. The bus leaves for Jackson Prison in an hour. What do you mean, "Hold it!" What's the use of holding a trial? Big Bob's as guilty as John Wilkes Booth or Lee Harvey Oswald. So what if there's no proof? So what if there are no witnesses, no incriminating evidence to arrest him on, no smoking gun? Al Capone either killed or ordered the extermination of several dozen guys and the feds didn't get him until he failed to pay his income tax. So whacko Joe Gentz says Big Bob ordered him to kill his wife? And Gentz admits that he did as told. Well, holy mackerel! That's proof enough for me. Not only that, but there's a group of anonymous so-called upstanding citizens who call themselves "Justice for Jane" who say Bob did the deed and they want you to put up a yard sign. I mean, isn't that proof enough for ya? Who are these brave souls who would send Bashara to prison for life? How come the Justice for Jane folks "prefer" to remain nameless - but they want YOU to put up a yard sign where everyone knows who YOU are to achieve their "closure?" Hey, this is Grosse Pointe, right? Pearls with basic black. Less is more. Back a protest, but hire somebody to march for you. This guy may be guilty as Charles Manson. But just because he lives in paradise doesn't mean he doesn't deserve at least the same fair trial he'd get in the ghetto.
Sir Lancelot
11:32 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Why are you so angry? Who said J4J doesn't want the legal system to work? What is wrong with bringing attention to Jane, and remaining nameless so the focus can be on her? Citizens are VOLUNTEERING to put up signs on their own property. The closure is not for THEM, it is for JANE'S FAMILY and the people who loved her. Who wouldn't want that?
Walt Walker
9:35 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Who said there is no need for a trial, what source has told you there is no proof, how do you know there are no witnesses, and how do you know there is no incriminating evidence to arrest him on? Everything I have seen in print states that the Prosecutors office has not, and will not, discuss their case. It is true that there are many bloggers, on multiple sites that feel Bob is guilty just as there is bloggers who question his involvement. But again you have distorted your facts (can’t fault you for that you made your career doing that). Justice4Janes press release clearly states “The purpose of the campaign is to show in a visible way the Grosse Pointe community's desire to bring to justice whoever murdered one of its most respected members. It affirms a trust in law enforcements' efforts on her case and stands behind them.”
Nowhere as Good Old Pete states, do they say Bob did it.
To be fair to Pete, there are some who have blogged on their site and others who feel Bob is guilty, they relied on rumors and fragmented facts to form their opinions, kinda like Pete did when he blogged his opinion of this article. But just like Pete, they have a right to their opinion, right or wrong.
Pat Carston
1:22 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
"But just because he lives in paradise doesn't mean he doesn't deserve at least the same fair trial he'd get in the ghetto."
He lives in paradise? Listening to him lately, he describes it more like a living hell.
CM
9:02 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Amen, brother!
FarmsResident
11:36 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Fair enough, let the system work.
Pat Carston
8:04 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
My take is that group wants a trial and wants the justice system to do its job.
Bob Frapples
8:37 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
My take is that Pete Waldmeir is a grumpy ex-newspaper man and frustrated ex-electected city official that isn't slow to give his opinion and likes to see his words in print. Haha.
Julie Lattimore
11:56 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
I'd like a "Justice for Jane" sign for my lawn, can someone tell me how to get one?
Jamie Delaqua
2:13 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Look above, the article gives the website for ordering.
Btw, if people put yard signs on their lawns, that's hardly being anonymous --- and I'm told all 4 organizers from the Pointes have yard signs on their lawns, plus Justice for Jane car magnets. Don't get why anyone objects to standing up for Jane.
Pete Waldmeir, GP Woods
2:29 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Like you, I just want to see justice done. I dislike the anonymous lynch mob mentality, that's all. Seen enough of it in many long years in and out of court rooms, dealing with incompetent cops and prosecutors and screwed up defense lawyers. Jane's friends are welcome to their opinion. You ain't in Camelot any more, brave Sir Lancelot. Least you could do is, like the others, sign a name.
Lisa Pinkos Howle
8:56 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Quite frankly, I'm tired of cowards not using their own names. Please gather some courage. It's totally okay- no one will be mad at you and your opinion will matter. With fake names, no one cares what you say. Surprise yourself and have a little backbone.
Claire Louise Lewis
12:40 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Like you, I too want to see justice done. Unlike you, I do not see evidence of an anonymous mob. What do I see? The fact that the victim has become lost in all the sensationalistic, self-centered press melees. Who has spoken up for Jane, Mr. Waldmeir? Her widower? You? I've read the blogs and studied the comments. Have you? Because if you did, you'd surely understand the need for someone to stand up for the victim in this case. That amidst all the press coverage, a group of community members wish to ensure the victim is not forgotten. To remember the good, not the evil. Why should they all throw names and faces out there at present? They are far safer in numbers and anonymous. Lastly, your comments are beyond skewed considering they are coming from a supposed unbiased veteran of the Fourth Estate. As for the pearls? Why you sound like a misogynist to me. But what do I know. If Daddy were alive, I'd ask him. He used to know you.
Kathy Grady
7:52 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Not everyone in the world wants to be a publicity whore. The organizers of Justice4Jane are obviously looking for a way to make some kind of sense out of the violent death of their dear friend. Shame on those of you who choose to pick at their desire for anonymity.
Julie Lattimore
9:45 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
...and not to mention, the mentally challenged hit man is behind bars, but Jane's "real" killer is still on the loose. Jane's friends and family should be concerned for their own safety, while seeking justice for murder.
Sir Lancelot
10:26 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Hey Pete. You want to talk about a lynch mob? Talk to the witnesses who've been harassed by Bob's camp.
Claire Louise Lewis
8:34 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Oooooo... witness intimidation too, eh? SMH!
Villager
9:21 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
I just saw that Bob opened a Facebook account today, he also named it Justice4Jane.
Julie Lattimore
9:21 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Bob Bashara is trying to hijack the Justice4Jane campaign. He started his own Facebook page using the same slogan. It looks like it's mostly his own family and few friends who have joined in on this maneuver. I've met a few psychopaths in my life, but this makes my skin crawl ! I feel horrible for Jane's real family today. We all need to stand up for Jane and her family together and buy the signs, which will celebrate Jane and her charities... and lets just hope and pray that the person who arranged for Jane's murder... pays for it, dearly!