Bashara in tears on second day of testimony

DETROIT - It was day two of testimony for convicted murderer Bob Bashara. During Friday's testimony he broke down in tears during the hearing for a new trial.

Bashara was emotional in his effort to get a new trial. Prosecutors cross-examined Bashara, 57, known as "Master Bob," convicted of arranging the murder of his wife, Jane.

Bashara says his trial was unfair due to his ineffective defense team, Grosse Pointe Park police and the media.

Prosecutors questioned his testimony s Bashara has told different versions of when his wife met handyman Joseph Gentz  who prosecutors say Bashara paid to kill her. Bashara admits to giving Gentz a $400 check the day after her body was found.

But continues to say he had nothing to do with her murder.

"You took the time to write a check and deliver it to Joseph Gentz," said assistant prosecutor Lisa Lindsey.

"No," Bashara said.

Prosecutors also brought up his past. Bashara says he "fell into" the BDSM lifestyle around 2004. But jailhouse writings reveal exposure as a child.

He and a friend discovered a bondage magazine in his home in middle school.

Lindsey read Bashara's letter in court:  "We stripped in our underwear, he laid down on the bench and I bound him tight. We did that for an hour and laughed at our new found adventure."

Bashara testified Thursday that Grosse Pointe Park Police Chief David Hiller holds a grudge against him for a criminal sexual conduct investigation against Bashara back in 1995.

Bashara was accused of inappropriately touching his 5-year-old niece, but was never charged.

Lindsey: "Do you recall telling them that  the children had seen you naked," 

"Yes," Bashara said.

Bashara now says his trial was unfair and just wants the truth out. Prosecutors argue that in a letter, Bashara said otherwise and praised his defense team.

"Did you say, I/we want to continue as I now believe the truth and the piles of lies are now coming to light, keep fighting my legal warriors," Lindsey read.

"I did say that," Bashara said.

The hearing will go into its sixth day continuing Monday afternoon. Bashara is the last witness for the defense.