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Plea Deal Possible For Bob Bashara In Wife's Murder

DETROIT (WWJ) - A plea deal could be in the works for Bob Bashara, who is charged with hiring a hit man to kill his wife in Grosse Pointe Park.

Wayne County Judge Vonda Evans on Monday heard and ruled on more than a dozen motions from prosecutors and the defense before hold a conference with attorneys on both sides.

The judge then told Bashara she'd like him to think about something before the next hearing in the case, set for Sept. 24.

"I want to come back to see whether or not there might be a potential resolution," Evans said. "I don't want anyone to say anything...There's a lot at stake here."

Evans asked Bashara to consider his family and his age.

"There's a lot at stake as far as you are concerned — you're 57 years old — your children and the community at large," Evans said. "Look at the evidence like you would be consulting a friend, instead of  yourself; look at everything. What would you tell your best friend?"

Attorneys wouldn't comment as to what was discussed.

Bashara is accused of paying the family's handyman, Joe Gentz, to strangle his 56-year-old wife Jane, whose body was found in her SUV in a Detroit alley in 2012.  Gentz confessed to the crime, claiming Bashara had intimidated him.

Prosecutors claim Bashara — who led a secret life in S&M clubs as "Master Bob" — had his wife killed so he could carry on affairs with other women.

Bashara remains in prison after he pleaded guilty to trying to have Gentz killed in jail. He's repeatedly denied playing any role in his wife's death.

A trial has been scheduled to begin Oct. 6.

MORE: Judge Fed Up With Bickering Ahead Of Bashara Murder Trial
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