A dispute over money led to the murder of a suburban mom outside of Detroit. That’s the theory defense attorney David Griem suggested as the reason why a suspect referred to as “Joe” may have killed 56-year-old Jane Bashara.
“My scenario is that Jane pulls into the driveway … [the suspect] walks up, an argument ensues, and I can see this ‘Joe’ [saying] ‘look at the nice car you’re driving, look at the nice home you’re living in. Why can’t you pay me?’” said Griem, Bob Bashara's attorney. “Possibly a slap in the face because ‘Joe’ was disrespectful and the next thing you know a wonderful woman has a broken neck.”
The mother of two was found strangled and beaten in the backseat of her Mercedes SUV on January 25. Jane Bashara’s body was discovered just eight miles away from her home in Grosse Pointe Park.
Authorities have been investigating Bob Bashara, Jane's husband, and brought him in for a polygraph test on January 27. While he spoke to investigators that night, police searched his home with a warrant and removed computers and photos. Griem said his client passed that polygraph, as well as a lie detector test given by an independent administrator. Police say the results of their test were inconsistent.
Read more: Investigation continues: Mom found strangled in car
Bob Bashara had already given “Joe’s” name to police as a possible suspect in the murder, Griem said.
“A dispute arose over billings … and billing demands made from Bob Bashara by ‘Joe’,” said Griem. “And these discussions got quite heated over the past month. So when the Grosse Pointe Park Police Department asked [for suspects], ‘Joe’ was on a short list.”
No arrests or charges have been filed in this case.
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