Judge Vonda Evans Admits Tweeting During Bob Bashara Murder Trial

By Christy Strawser

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) While Bob Bashara is on trial for allegedly killing his wife in one of the most high-profile local murder trials in recent memory -- the judge overseeing the trial admitted she Tweeted.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Vonda Evans Tweeted Tuesday about the merits of "true friends." It was the same day Bashara pal Richard Falcinelli was testifying about his friend's movements in the wake of his wife's death.

When asked about it later the same day by reporters, Evans responded that she did Tweet during the trial, but only while the jury was out of the room.

Contacted by WWJ's Marie Osborne, Circuit Court judge Robert Columbo said there is nothing wrong with a judge tweeting from the bench -- as long as it has nothing to do with the trial that's being heard.

In the trial, Bashara maintains his innocence, though handyman Joe Gentz pleaded guilty and was sentenced to up to 28 years in prison for killing Jane Bashara. Gentz was allegedly approached by Bashara to be the hit man who killed his wife.

The 56-year-old Grosse Pointe mother was found strangled to death in her car, which was parked in an alley in Detroit.

After Jane's body was discovered, Gentz turned himself in to police. In the aftermath, Bashara allegedly tried to pay someone to kill Gentz.

Prosecutors allege Bashara wanted his wife out of the way so he could carry on a BDSM relationship with two women. Bashara was allegedly the owner of a sex dungeon who held elaborate master-slave parties with others in the same lifestyle.

And now Bashara is on trial for his wife's death.

His judge, Evans, usually utilizes her Twitter account to push out bromides about love and relationships.

This is how the judge describes herself on her account: "Thank you for your support of me as ur common sense public servant. I am honored to serve U! Vonda."

Evans is known for her unconventional courtroom style, where she sports a sometimes slinky wardrobe, once shouted at a defendant in apparent rage, and told Bashara in court "you lookin' good today."