Handyman faces trial in killing

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DETROIT, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- A handyman was formally charged Tuesday with strangling his employer's wife and dumping her body in Detroit.

Joseph Gentz of St. Clair Shores, Mich., appeared for a brief arraignment in Detroit. A judge set the trial date as Jan. 7, The Detroit News reported.

Gentz is charged with the murder of Jane Bashara, 56, of Grosse Pointe and with conspiracy. While no one else is charged with the killing, the second charge suggests Gentz was not operating on his own.

Robert Bashara, Jane's husband, pleaded guilty last week to solicitation of murder, admitting he tried to find a hired killer to get rid of Gentz. Bashara faces sentencing Nov. 20.

Gentz, who suffers from developmental disabilities but has been found fit to stand trial, has said Bashara hired him to kill his wife.