Prosecutor: Bob Bashara paid to have Joe Gentz killed in jail - KMSP-TV

Bob Bashara was before the court Wednesday appearing by video from the Wayne County Jail.  He is behind bars where he could be for life if convicted of hiring a hit man to kill Joseph Gentz in jail.

Gentz, of course, is the alleged hit man that confessed to police that Bashara hired him to kill his wife, Jane.

"About a month ago, a month and a half ago, I got word that there was a hit out on my client," said Susan Reed, the attorney representing Gentz.

"My client has from the beginning, at least according to the reports I've seen, believed that his life was in danger, and that was one of the reasons he went to the police because he thought that Bob Bashara was capable of having him killed."

Prosecutors say that's exactly what he planned to do to keep Gentz from testifying that Bashara hired him to kill his wife.

"Mr. Bashara allegedly wanted Mr. Gentz killed and wanted it done, again, prior to him going to court, became more interest about it as time went on and as July 23 approached," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.  "Our evidence will show that Mr. Bashara paid, there was an exchange of money, this other individual to kill Mr. Gentz."

Prosecutors allege between June 8 and June 25, Bashara met with two different people, paying one person $2,000 to carry out a hit on Gentz in the jail where he is currently locked up pending his next court date on July 23.

Gentz has already been found competent to stand trial, but is undergoing a second forensic exam, then plans to cut a deal with prosecutors in exchange for his testimony against Bashara, a man prosecutors say is becoming more erratic, more desperate, stalking his former mistress, Rachel Gillette, harassing his mother-in-law by phone, even threatening residents of his rental properties.

"Residents of his apartment complex indicated that Mr. Bashara came to them and said that he'd throw their [expletive] out of their apartment complex if they dared to talk to the police.  He could very easily contract another hit," assistant prosecutor Lisa Lindsey said at Bashara's arraignment. "He is a substantial danger to the community and his mental condition, it is clear that he is unraveling."

Bashara winced as the magistrate set bond at $15-million amid concerns he could be a danger to Gentz, to his former mistress or another woman with whom he was involved, all key witnesses for the prosecution.

"Bob Bashara is innocent.  Bob Bashara's going to get his day in court, and we're going to do our very best to see that Bob Bashara walks out of those courtroom doors with us," said David Griem, Bashara's attorney.