Handyman gets at least 17 years in woman's death - WNEM TV 5

By ED WHITE, Associated Press

A handyman who pleaded guilty to killing a suburban Detroit marketing executive has been sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison.

Wayne County Judge Vonda Evans reluctantly went along Tuesday with a sentencing agreement for 49-year-old Joseph Gentz, suggesting that he deserved more time behind bars. Gentz apologized in court for his actions.

Gentz says he strangled Jane Bashara at her Grosse Pointe Park home on orders from her husband.

Gentz pleaded guilty in December to second-degree murder in a deal with prosecutors.

Robert Bashara hasn't been charged in his wife's death, but he's in prison for trying to have Gentz killed in the Wayne County jail. His minimum sentence is 6 1/2 years.

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