Bob Bashara, formerly a resident of Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, is appealing for a re-trial before the courts of Michigan state, after serving seven years of a life sentence. In 2016, Bashara was handed a life sentence by the Detroit federal court, based on five counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation of murder, obstruction of justice and witness intimidation. This brought much anticipated closure after the murder of Bob’s wife, Jane Bashara, back in 2012.

On January 25, 2012, Jane Bashara was found dead in her SUV in a secluded street in Detroit. Forensic assessment revealed that she died of strangulation.
Joseph Gentz, an employee of Bob Bashara, was at first offered thousands of dollars and a Cadillac by Bob Bashara to commit the murder. He was then held at gunpoint by Bob until he strangled Jane Bashara to death. Authorities concluded that Bob wanted his wife dead because of his ongoing affair with Rachel Gillett, and other sexual involvements.

Bob’s lawyer, Ronald Ambrose, has filed a 110-page petition on Friday 24 May, 2019 claiming unlawful detainment. Bob Bashara’s team also argue that he was “denied the constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel.” Additionally, that the jury’s decision on his sentence was biased and heavily influenced by the publicity of the case by the media.

Bob and Jane Bashara were a fine example of a financially stable and happy couple, living in the upper suburbs of Grosse Point Park, Detroit. Bob was the son of a judge, who managed a number of personally owned properties around Detroit. Jane, on the other hand, worked as a Marketing Executive, and had worked her way up the corporate hierarchy.

“This was a situation where a very prominent man in the community ultimately had his wife murdered,” said Judge Vonda Evans.
About Joseph Gentz, Judge Evans said, “Handicapped by not only his mental capabilities, but his social upbringing. Bob realized that and took advantage of [Joseph Gentz], and began to manipulate him.”

Mentioned in this story is the age-old theme of self-gratification at the expense of others – this time, at the expense of an innocent woman’s life.

The BIG QUESTION here is CAN THIS HAPPEN TO ME?
We humans instinctively opt for self-preservation when it comes to confronting the extent of our wrongs. Whether it’s murder, a lifestyle health condition or breaking a plague of addiction – whatever the degree of extremity – it takes extraordinary willpower to address ourselves, and consider our role in the dilemma. Bob Bashara in a media interview continues to state his innocence. “Joe Gentz has admitted killing my wife. I did not conspire with him. I’m not a gun person, I’m a Christian and a pacifist, and I don’t believe in violence, I don’t believe in guns.”

The Bible is a discerning doctor concerning the human and diagnoses this symptom in II Thessalonians 2:10-12, ‘…because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that they may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.’
Here the Bible says God allows willingly self-righteous and ignorant people to be deluded; since they stubbornly ignore counsel and warnings. This eventually will lead to their condemnation, not only here in this life (whether it’s imprisonment, a slow death, lack of meaningful personal relationships, and more), but also forfeit their right to immortality.

Personally, I have learned that the indulgence in self-gratification and self-obsessions eventually leads to broken relationships, abuse of oneself, and self degradation.
I believe we individuals have accumulated hurt, bitterness and unresolved issues within us that we don’t deal with throughout our life. This can sometimes feed the unhealthy vices within us and become catalysts for aggressive, malignant behaviour.
There is a saying which states, “hurt people, hurt people.”
Bob may have been abused earlier in his life, and left unresolved, manifested itself in unfaithfulness to his wife, and eventually conspiring her murder.

Self-reflection would be the greatest moral virtue I would salvage from this unfortunate story. In 2017, when Mr. Bashara’s appeal for re-trial was denied by the Michigan Supreme Court, Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Maria Miller said in a statement: “The Michigan Supreme Court correctly denied Bashara’s leave to appeal. He will have the rest of his life in prison to reflect upon the cruel murder of his wife, and the devastating consequences for his children, family members, and the many friends of Jane Bashara.” Also, after his sentencing in 2016, Judge Evans stated, “Many individuals who saw the trial were saddened, they were angered, but hopefully there will be lives that will be changed so that we don’t ever — me or any other judge — ever have to see another Jane Bashara.”

The fact is folks, we all are capable of such atrocity (or even worse!). We lack the internal power to resist evil, let alone solve the hurts and emotional wounds within us. It takes something beyond us, and something outside of us to empower that emotional healing. For the Bible says, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing…wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:19,24)

In my lifetime journey, I have been able to experience inner healing, not by some supernatural mystical event, but after failed relationships, and really humbling myself and taking time to really dig deep within myself. I am privileged to have been introduced to the Comforting Spirit, which is God the Holy Spirit. He is the ever available and ever present (not seen physically, but is interactive) companion to every living soul. Jesus Christ introduces Him in John 16:7-8,
” Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” Here, firstly, The Comforter nudges at our conscience (allowing us to realize vices within us, unresolved bitterness and hurt, and the process by which led us to our current state), He then reveals solutions (whether it be seeking counsel from people who have overcome issues that we are currently struggling with, Godly counsel through Bible texts, meditation and prayerful conversation with God; and forming new and healthier lifestyle habits, and much more); and finally, the Comforter allows us to understand the possible extent of failing to adhere to counsel and pursuing resolution to our inner conflicts.

But rejoice! For we are not alone in our life journey friends! No matter if you’re in the bottomless pit, out in the middle of a lonely scary ocean, God the Holy Spirit is always available (Psalm 139:7-9). People will fail and abandon us, of course. But as long as we have breath in us, there is still opportunity for healing and change. Don’t wallow in the fact that you have been hurt or mistreated or cheated by others. You have the authority to overcome all things through Jesus who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). Today is the day for salvation, today is the day to break free from bondage!