Bashara juror: He came across as narcissistic sociopath

Jurors open up about murder trial against Grosse Pointe Park man

DETROIT – Two members of the jury in the trial against Bob Bashara have given us an inside look at how they found the Grosse Pointe Park man guilty of murdering his wife.

Jury foreman Bill Mahney and juror No. 16 Regis Johnson said the jury was attentive, emotional and worked through the three months of evidence presented to them to find Bashara guilty of murdering his wife Jane at the hands of his handyman, Joe Gentz.

When it came to Bob himself, the jurors simply didn't believe the man who, they say, lived his life by having other people clean up his messes.

"I didn't find a direct correlation between his lifestyle and his ability to commit murder. I think it was more important that once the picture was painted of him he came across as a narcissistic sociopath, which had nothing to do with his sexual practices," said Johnson.

Johnson was referring to Bashara's involvement in the BDSM community and his mistress. The prosecution made both a focal point throughout the trial.

"He was very unemotional when his kids were on the stand. He seemed to conveniently cry at key points, and then (the tears) were off," said Mahney.

The key testimony was from a woman who lived in her car, who isn't connected to the case but met Gentz on a dating app. She said Gentz told her Bob Bashara hired him to kill his wife.

"Gentz had just spilled his guts and in my opinion he was trying to impress her. But she didn't have ties with anybody," said Mahney.

Once deliberations began two jurors said there was no smoking gun. Some were shaken by the responsibility they had. Arguing from the jury room could be heard.

"Because someone ate the last of the donuts," said Mahney.

Otherwise, this jury was serious and professional. They felt for Jane Bashara and her family. Bob's mother's testimony impacted them deeply.

Evidence such as the almost two dozen calls from Bob Bashara to Gentz before Jane's murder, then him hardly calling Gentz after the murder, helped the jury find Bob guilty.

"He's used to having other people clean up his messes for him, and no way, shape or form did he think he would ever be held responsible," said Mahney.


About the Author:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.