Crime & Safety

Bashara Returns to Court, Asks for Laptop to Review Evidence

Bob Bashara requested Tuesday to have access to a laptop to review documents related to his first-degree murder trial for the Jan. 2012 murder of his wife, Jane.

Bob Bashara, the Grosse Pointe Park man charged with killing his wife, appeared Tuesday before Wayne County Judge Vonda Evans to ask for a laptop to review the many pages of evidence in the case because he has macular degeneration, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Bashara, who owned properties in St. Clair Shores, reportedly told the judge he has "distorted vision" and the laptop would help him enlarge the documents in the first-degree murder case and that it "would be most helpful."

Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey argued against the request, stating Bashara would have a "privilege" other inmates do not have, the paper reported. His defense attorney countered stating it would be time consuming to bring their laptops to their meetings and share the information with Bashara.

Evans, the paper reported, will speak with officials with at Wayne County Jail where Bashara is currently housed about the laptop request and will consider it during a Jan. 9 hearing. 

Evans also ordered that Bashara receive transcripts from his preliminary exam, according to the Detroit News.

Bashara is currently serving a a prison sentence on a second, related case involving his former handyman, Joe Gentz, whom he tried to have killed while in jail to prevent him from testifying. 

In the current case, which he is charged with killing his wife Jane Bashara, he faces charges of: 

  • first degree murder
  • conspiracy to commit first degree murder
  • solicitation to commit murder
  • suborning of perjury during a capital trial
  • witness intimidation
  • obstruction of justice
Future court dates were also set for Jan. 31 and Feb. 3 for motion hearings and March 3 for a jury trial.


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