WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — A bodybuilder from Macomb County who pleaded no contest to charges in a violent assault on his girlfriend withdrew his plea Wednesday.
Paul Bashi's attorney informed a Macomb Circuit Court Judge that Bashi chose to withdraw this guilty plea and wants to go to trial.
Bashi faces up to life in prison. The 36-year-old pleaded no contest to attempted murder, torture and illegal possession of steroids.
Bashi blames "roid rage" in the attack on his girlfriend in their Washington Township home on July 29, 2019. She was repeatedly stabbed, punched, kicked and hit with a number of items, including candles, chairs and containers of protein powder.
She was found bleeding outside of the home. Bashi was arrested while he was walking on a nearby street, covered in blood, said the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.
A preliminary investigation showed dozens of separate stab wounds on the victim's body inflicted over a period of time.
Although he was originally supposed to be sentenced on Oct. 23, Bashi's attorneys brought up several objections, adjourning the sentencing.
He is due back in court at a later time.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
For additional assistance in the metro Detroit area, contact Oakland County's HAVEN Domestic Violence Shelter at 248-334-1274 (TTY: 248-972-2540), or Turning Point in Macomb County at 586-463-6990.
