Joe Gentz enters not guilty plea in Circuit Court at his arraignment in Bashara murder case

(WXYZ) - Attorneys for Joseph Gentz entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in Wayne County Circuit Court during his arraignment in the Jane Bashara murder case.

His trial is set for January 7.

Earlier this month, Gentz waived his right to a preliminary examination in 36th District Court. The case was then  bound over to Circuit Court.

Joseph Gentz is the man charged with the January murder of Jane Bashara. She was found in the back of her SUV in Detroit.  An autopsy showed the Grosse Pointe Park mom had been beaten and strangled to death.

Gentz had worked as a handyman for Jane’s husband Bob  Bashara. Gentz has told WXYZ and police that he was hired by Bashara to kill Jane. 

Gentz’s attorney has suggested that his client may accept a plea deal and agree to testify against Bob Bashara.

Bashara is in jail, charged with trying to hire a hit man to kill his proclaimed hit man Joe Gentz. On October 11, Bashara pleaded guilty to Solicitation of Murder charges at a pre-trial hearing.

He now admits trying to hire a hitman to kill his handyman Joe Gentz. His sentencing is scheduled for November 20 at 8:30 a.m.

Bashara has not been charged in connection to his wife’s murder.