DETROIT – Bob Bashara was arraigned in connection with his wife's murder Friday in front of Judge Vonda Evans.
Evans set a March 3 trial date on a first-degree murder charge for the Grosse Pointe Park man.
After a preliminary exam that included 30 witnesses and 5 days of lurid testimony District Court Judge Kenneth King called the case "unusual" and "bizarre."
"When you deal with scum, chances are you're pretty much scum, too," King said.
Watch: Courtroom video: Judge's decision to try Bob Bashara
In the fifth and last day of testimony, the judge said they could have skipped this long hearing and gone straight to trial.
"It almost sounds like the defendant, if those allegations are to be believed, thought he was mafia or something he was watching on TV or a movie, putting hits on people," said King.
Jane Bashara was found strangled to death on Jan. 25, 2012, inside her SUV that was parked in a Detroit alley, a few miles from the couple's home.
Joseph Gentz, a handyman who worked for Bob Bashara, has pleaded guilty to killing her, but saying he did so at her husband's behest.
Bob Bashara already is serving up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to trying to hire someone to kill Gentz in jail.
Read: Daughter: Bob Bashara had porn habit
Read: Bob Bashara's mistress says relationship had lies
Uncut video: Jane's best friend takes stand during Bashara prelim