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Autopsy Photos OK As Evidence In Referee's Death

DETROIT (AP) — A judge says jurors can see photos from the autopsy of a Detroit-area soccer referee who died after a player punched him in the head.

Lawyers for Bassel Saad say the photos could unfairly sway the emotions of a jury. But Wayne County Judge Thomas Cameron says the pictures are fair game because they show the "power of the punch." He held a hearing Monday on pre-trial matters.

Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad
Bassel Saad (credit: Wayne County Prosecutor's Office)

Saad is charged with second-degree murder in the death of John Bieniewicz. Bieniewicz was punched in the head during a game in Livonia last summer.

A trial is expected in 2015.

 

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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