Bashara ordered to trial in alleged hit man scheme

DETROIT (AP) -- A Detroit-area man will go to trial on a charge of trying to hire a hit man to kill a jail inmate, another twist in a case that began months ago with the strangling of the defendant's wife.

Robert Bashara is charged with trying to kill Joe Gentz, a handyman awaiting trial in the death of Jane Bashara of Grosse Pointe Park. A judge heard secretly recorded conversations Tuesday between Robert Bashara and appliance store owner Steve Tibaudo.

Tibaudo says Bashara approached him in June and wanted to have Gentz "taken care of" before a court hearing. Tibaudo replied that "anybody could be hit anywhere."

He says Bashara gave him a $2,000 deposit. Bashara hasn't been charged in his wife's death but has been labeled a person of interest.

Published: Thu, Jul 26, 2012