Joe Gentz to stand trial in August on murder charge in death of Grosse Pointe Park mother

Family's handyman competent to stand trial, charged with murder, conspiracy

DETROIT – The man who told police he was hired to kill Grosse Pointe Park mother Jane Bashara will go to trial on a murder charge.

Joe Gentz was found competent, for a second time, Wednesday and an Aug. 13 trial date was set.

UNCUT: Joe Gentz found competent to stand trial

Gentz previously had been determined competent to stand trial by doctors at the state forensic center. His attorney, Susan Reed, had requested a second independent evaluation - which also deemed him competent and aware.

Gentz is charged with murder and conspiracy in the mother's death, whose body was found in her Mercedes-Benz in Detroit in January.

Gentz did odd jobs for the victim's husband, Bob Bashara. Bob Bashara is not charged in his wife's death, but does face charges that he tried to hire a hit man to kill Gentz in jail.

Bob Bashara