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Bob Bashara aims to reduce his $15 million bond in handyman murder-for-hire

Bob Bashara CBS Detroit

(CBS) DETROIT - Bob Bashara will ask a judge tomorrow to reduce his $15 million cash bond on charges that he tried to hire someone to kill his former handyman, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Defense attorney Mark Kriger did not ask for a specific figure in his motion for a reduced bond, but he asked that the judge set a lower bond that would assure Bashara's appearance in court while not endangering public safety.

Prosecutors argued that there are "substantial reasons that a reduction or modification of bond is completely unwarranted."

"We will argue in court against the motion because the charges against him are serious, his alleged actions make him dangerous, and he is a potential flight risk," said Maria Miller, spokeswoman for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

Bashara was held in the Wayne County Jail since his arrest in June. He is charged of solicitation to murder after being accused of plotting a hit on Joe Gentz, his handyman, who told police he killed Jane Bashara at her husband's behest.

Bob Bashara's trial is set for Nov. 12 and he could face a life sentence if convicted. During a preliminary examination, appliance dealer Steve Tibaudo testified he secretly recorded conversations of Bashara seeking help to find someone who could kill Gentz in jail.

Although he has not been charged with his wife's slaying, Bashara has been called a suspect in court and "the person of interest" by the Grosse Pointe Park police.

Jane Bashara was found strangled late January in her Mercedes-Benz SUV, which was ditched in a Detroit alley. Her husband reported her missing from their Grosse Pointe Park home the night before.

Bob Bashara's bond hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

Complete coverage of Bob Bashara on Crimesider

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