DETROIT – The man who told police investigators he killed a Grosse Pointe Park woman may avoid trial with a plea deal.
Sources tell Local 4 Joe Gentz, who was a handyman for Jane Bashara's husband Bob Bashara, may have a deal in place which could be announced Friday in court. Gentz is expected in court Friday morning for his pretrial hearing.
Complete coverage: Grosse Pointe Park murder mystery
Those close to the case say attorneys representing Gentz have been in negotiations with prosecutors and both sides have been working to make this deal happen before the end of the year.
What would the plea deal look like? It may be 2nd degree murder and a minimum of 20 years in prison for Gentz.
Gentz told police he killed Jane Bashara on Jan. 24, 2012 in her Grosse Pointe Park home. However, he also told police Bob Bashara put him up to it.
Read more: Gentz's family: Bob Bashara set him up
Sources say once the Gentz deal is done Bob Bashara himself may be next to face charges for his wife's murder. From day one investigators have felt Bob Bashara was involved in plotting his wife's death.
Bob Bashara has admitted to trying to have Gentz killed.
Read more: Bob Bashara pleads guilty to solicitation of murder charge
Jane Bashara was found dead in the back of her sports utility vehicle Jan. 24, 2012. It was parked in a Detroit alley. However, police believe she was killed at her Grosse Pointe Park home and someone drove her vehicle with her body inside to Detroit.