DETROIT – Local 4 Defenders exclusive: Joe Gentz sits down in his first face-to-face television interview since the murder of Jane Bashara. And there's something he wants you to know about him.
In an undisclosed location, Gentz spoke with Local 4 Defender Marc Santia.
At time with tears in his eye, Gentz said he had a message for Metro Detroiters. He said his message was different than what's been played out in the media. He said he wants the public to know he only walked into the Grosse Pointe Park police station for one reason.
Marc Santia: What do you want people to know?
Joe Gentz: I want them to know the truth. I just want truth. I want justice. I want real justice to be done. I want justice real bad.
"I have seen a lot in my lifetime," Gentz said. "Been to the Persian Gulf War, been to Singapore. I had a good life."
Now, his life is in the spotlight as Gentz finds himself back in the middle of Jane Bashara's murder investigation.
"I have a heart, yes," he said. "I have a heart of gold. I'm honest. I'm a caring person. I don't do harm. I don't break the law."
Grosse Pointe Park police kept Gentz in custody for three days after allegedly confessing to his involvement in Jane Bashara's murder.
Multiple sources said Gentz did change aspects of his story, but always maintained one constant: emphatically saying Jane Bashara was killed in the garage of her home.
Local 4 cameras were rolling Wednesday when Michigan State Police executed a search warrant at the home.
Jane Bashara, 56, was reported missing by her husband on Jan. 24. She was found dead Jan. 25 in her sports utility vehicle, which was parked in a Detroit alley. An autopsy showed she died from strangulation.
Gentz has not been charged and no other arrests have been made.