DETROIT (AP) - A handyman who admits he strangled a suburban Detroit woman says he didn’t read an affidavit that contradicts his previous statements in the long-running case.
Joe Gentz told a judge Tuesday, “I never read what I sign.”
Gentz was called as a witness by Bob Bashara, who is trying to get a new trial in the death of his wife, Jane Bashara of Grosse Pointe Park. Bashara says his trial lawyers were ineffective.
Gentz is in prison for second-degree murder. He says he was hired to kill Jane Bashara at her husband’s direction.
An affidavit signed by Gentz claims he was coerced by police to implicate Bashara. But in court, he said Bashara let him into the house before the killing. Final arguments are scheduled for July 14.
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