Bashara trial witness talks dungeon, DNA

Court hears recording in which Bashara calls daughter 'so spoiled'

DETROIT – Bob Bashara's sunglasses were gone Wednesday in court, but his former slave was back.

Terese Giffin, who is a former Chicago cop and former "slave," clearly was uncomfortable testifying. Why? Investigators say she lied early on to protect "Master Bob."

"Well my decision was based on pleasing him," she said.

After the murder, Giffin told investigators that Bob Bashara was like a brother. However, after investigators looked on her computer it was later revealed she was naked in his dungeon. We can't repeat what happened down there. It's x-rated.

Prosecutor: "Is it typical in a brother and sister relationship for the brother to ask the sister to "bring them to him?"

Giffin: "No."

The court heard a recorded jail conversation between Bashara and Giffin during which Bashara was upset about his daughter.

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Bashara on recording: "She's taking advantage of my mother and she's ... it's unfortunate the way she's acted. She's so spoiled."

Giffin on recording: "Yeah that's what usually happens with them spoiled little girls."

Things shifted from the dungeon to DNA: blood on Joe Gentz's boot, DNA in the Bashara garage and also on Jane Bashara's steering wheel.

Investigators testified they discovered Gentz's DNA in Jane Bashara's fingernail. There likely was a struggle. The steering wheel also is providing critical clues.

Special Section: Jane Bashara murder investigation

Backstory:

Jane Bashara was found strangled on Jan. 25, 2012 inside her SUV that was parked in a Detroit alley, a few miles from the family's Grosse Pointe Park home.

Gentz, who worked as a handyman for Bob Bashara, has pleaded guilty to killing her, but saying he did so at her husband's behest.

Bob Bashara is already in prison after being convicted of trying to hire a hit man to kill Gentz.

Gentz will not testify in the trial against Bob.


About the Author:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.