DETROIT – Murder, mistresses, a sex dungeon: Bob Bashara is at the center of it all.
He was in court Tuesday, clean-cut and mild-mannered. But this trial will be anything but tame. Even juror selection could make some blush. Here's why: Jurors will be asked their thoughts on Bashara's secret S&M lifestyle and his mistresses. It will all be laid out to make sure these jurors can be fair.
"You need jurors that have integrity. You need jurors that you can see are going to be honest," said legal expert Todd Flood.
Special Section: Jane Bashara murder investigation
If all goes as planned, a jury could be seated by Thursday. Opening statements could begin as soon as next week. Making sure the jury is fair is the focus right now.
"Clearly, this is a very big deal in the community and people have probably heard at least something about it, those that have been called. So that's the point of the questionnaires," said defense attorney Michael McCarthy, representing Bob Bashara.
Testimony in the case will be graphic, including explicit details of how Jane Bashara was killed and details about Bob Bashara's secret life. We will hear about the dungeon and those who have been inside. Several sexual partners from Bob Bashara's past will be called to the stand to share intimate details of their encounters.
For the prosecution, these details will help them paint a picture of Bashara as a man who was consumed with S&M and his mistress, and as a man who wanted his wife out of the picture. The defense is prepared to present another side of Bob.