March trial date set for Bashara in wife's death

DETROIT (AP) -- A March 3 trial date has been set for a suburban Detroit man accused of murder in the death of his 56-year-old wife. Robert Bashara was arraigned last Friday in Wayne County Circuit Court. He's charged with first-degree murder. Jane Bashara was beaten and strangled at the couple's Grosse Pointe Park home in January 2012. Her body was found in her Mercedes-Benz, which was abandoned in Detroit. Handyman Joe Gentz is in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. He has said 55-year-old Robert Bashara threatened to kill him unless he followed orders and killed Jane Bashara. Robert Bashara has repeatedly denied any role during media interviews. He pleaded guilty last year to trying to have Gentz killed in jail. Published: Tue, Sep 24, 2013