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Soccer Player Charged In Referee's Murder To Stand Trial Next Year

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A trial for a Detroit-area soccer player charged in the one-punch slaying of a referee has been delayed until next year after a new judge was assigned to the case.

Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway recused herself Thursday from the case of Bassel Saad, stating that one of his lawyers had represented her in the past and her background in sports affected her ability to hear the case.

The second-degree murder case has been assigned to Judge Thomas Cameron. A motion hearing is Nov. 21 and the trial is set for Feb. 9.

Prosecutors and police say Saad, 36, punched John Bieniewicz on June 29 as the 44-year-old referee was preparing to red-card and eject Saad during an adult recreational league game in Livonia.

The Wayne County Medical Examiner's office says the blow knocked Bieniewicz out before he even hit the ground. He died two days later at a local hospital.

The attack on Bieniewicz came during the second half of an over-30 Michigan United Soccer League game. Bieniewicz reached into his pocket and was in the process of ejecting Saad from the game when he was punched, according to witnesses and police, who said Saad fled while Bieniewicz was being tended to. [LISTEN TO THE 911 CALL]

The cause of death was "blunt impact to left side of his neck" the Medical Examiner said.

A witness said in an earlier probable cause hearing that the 44-year-old Bieniewicz did not expect the attack and didn't see the punch coming.

"He put his head down, put his hand in his pocket, and went to raise the red card, as he did that, I saw Mr. Saad take a few steps and throw a punch," said a witness.

"It was a pretty quick motion," the witness added,"sort of looked over the left shoulder, saw the ref approaching him from this direction – about to give him the card – and sort of turned back … and he turned back and swung in the direction of his head."

Cyril Hall, Saad's lawyer, has said his client is sorry for his actions, but called prosecutors' second-degree murder case weak. He said Saad is eager for the process to get underway.

"Well, he's in custody so obviously he'd like to have his day in court as soon as possible, and I would like to give it to him as soon as possible," said Hall, adding that he does plan to ask Judge Cameron that the charge against his client be reduced.

Bieniewicz was a dialysis technician at Mott Children's Hospital who lived in Westland with his wife and two sons.

Saad faces up to life in prison if convicted as charged.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

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