Man allegedly wanted hit on hit man

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DETROIT, July 24 (UPI) -- A Detroit-area businessman was ordered held for trial Tuesday on charges of trying to arrange the killing of the man who allegedly killed his wife.

Bob Bashara of Grosse Pointe Park appeared at a preliminary hearing where the owner of an electrical equipment store testified Bashara approached him looking for a hit man, the Detroit Free Press reported. The target was Frank Gentz, who allegedly strangled Jane Bashara in January, leaving her body in her Mercedes in a Detroit alley.

Gentz has allegedly admitted the killing, saying her husband arranged it. Bashara has not been charged with his wife's death although police say he is a person of interest.

Steve Tibaudo, owner of Steve's Furniture & Appliances in Detroit, said he met with Bashara several times while equipped with recording devices. On one occasion, he testified, Bashara frisked him.

"He said, 'Are you wearing a wire?'" Tibaudo told the court. "I said, 'No, it's against my religion to wear a wire. I'm Sicilian.'"

Bashara is being held in the Wayne County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment July 31.