Prosecutor: BDSM Lifestyle A Motive For Murder In Bashara Case
DETROIT (WWJ) – Lurid details about the secret life of a Grosse Pointe Park businessman may be used in the murder case against him.
Assistant prosecutor Lisa Lindsay says Bob Bashara — who stands accused of hiring a hit man to kill his wife — asked seven friends and associates if they knew of anyone who he could hire to harm Jane Bashara, including friends who shared in Bashara's BDSM lifestyle.
"The BDSM lifestyle is going to be a part of his motive for committing this crime," Lindsay told the court on Monday. "So, the fact of the matter is, there's going to be discussion and testimony about the BDSM lifestyle."
The term BDSM is used to describe a variety of erotic practices that may involve dominance and submission, role-playing, punishment, and restraint.
The case has drawn national attention with tales that Bashara ran a secret "sex dungeon" in the basement of one of his businesses and was known in chat rooms and at fetish parties as "Master Bob."
The prosecutions assertion that such information should and will be part of the trial drew the objection of defense attorney Renee Cooper.
"I can't believe you're going to listen to BDSM lifestyle stories to determine someone's credibility," said Cooper. "That's their sexual preference and lifestyle."
Bashara was present by video conference from a state prison in Manistee where he serving time for trying to hire a hit on handyman Joseph Gentz.
Gentz — who says he was paid by Bashara to kill Jane Bashara in January of 2012 — offered his testimony in the case as part of a plea agreement.
Lindsay said there were nearly 500 phone contacts between Bashara and Gentz.
A preliminary examination is set for September 9.
