Clock ticks on charges window for 'Joe' in Grosse Pointe Park murder investigation

Police have 72 hours to charge or release man who says he was involved in Jan Bashara's murder

GROSSE POINTE PARK, Mich. – Grosse Pointe Park police have 72 hours to either get charges brought forth or release a man sources call Joe, who has been in police custody since walking into the Police Department and admitting he was involved in Jane Bashara's murder.

When the 72 hours are up depends on when police officially put Joe in custody. He walked into the Grosse Pointe Park Police Department Tuesday afternoon.

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Jane Bashara, 56, was found dead Jan. 25 in her sports utility vehicle parked in a Detroit alley. An autopsy showed the cause of death was strangulation.

Her husband, Bob Bashara, has been named a person of interest in her murder. He reported his wife missing the night of Jan. 24, but police have questioned his story. He also failed a police-administered polygraph test on Jan. 27.

This week, Joe has been telling police he was there for Jane's murder, but sources have confirmed his story has changed on several occasions.

Retired Detroit Police Lt. Tom Berry said it's all about running down Joe's story.

"You've got to believe that (Joe) has taken a polygraph test, that this suspect, in custody of the (Grosse Point Park police), has taken a polygraph test," Berry said. "Of course, we don't know the results, nor are the results admissible in court."

Berry said detectives by now will have Joe swear under oath to his version of events.

Meanwhile, Bob Bashara's attorney, David Griem, has had his client take another polygraph test, which Griem said he passed.

"They key questions in that polygraph were, ‘Did you kill your wife?' and, ‘Did you have anything to do with the death of your wife,'" Griem said. "In talking to the polygraph examiner early last evening, it's his opinion that Mr. Bashara had no role in either."

Complicating the investigation is Bob Bashara's secret life. Police have been questioning his mistress -- an affair his Jane had recently found out about, according to sources.

Police sources also are taking a look at Bashara's interest in the S&M and bondage community.

One of his former "slaves" told the Local 4 Defenders that Bob Bashara had a sex dungeon in the basement of a building he owns.

"There are so many people that if you're lifestyle is different from their lifestyle, you're a bad person and you must be guilty of whatever somebody might allege," said Griem.

Griem would not confirm the affair or alternative lifestyle.

Berry said he expects Joe will be charged within the next 24 hours.