A Michigan man who kills a referee during an adult soccer game in a suburb of Detroit is sentenced to 8 to 15 years. Bassel Saad, 37, strikes a deal with prosecutors, pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for punching (once) referee John Bieniewicz, 44, who dies two days after he’s hit. Saad is initially charged with second-degree murder. He admits he punched the referee who was preparing to call a penalty that would have ejected the auto mechanic from the game.
Bassel Saad's Soccer League ID (Source: Livonia Police)
TIMELINE:
2005 Saad is involved in prior assault on a soccer field. Police say Saad hits another player repeatedly in the head. He pleads no contest to attempted assault and battery and is ordered to serve five days community service and 12 months probation.
June 29, 2014 In Livonia, Michigan (a large suburb of Detroit), Saad punches 44-year-old John Bieniewicz as the ref prepares to red-card and eject him during the second half of a Michigan United Soccer League adult game. A teammate reportedly tries to give Bieniewicz CPR. Saad allegedly hops into a friend’s car and the vehicle speeds away. Witnesses say Saad flips people off as they try and stop him from fleeing the parking lot. An officer reportedly explains to John’s wife that he has been seriously hurt at the soccer field and a helicopter will transport him to Detroit Receiving Hospital.
June 30, 2014 Saad reportedly turns himself in. He’s arrested and arraigned. Before the victim dies, Saad faces a charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm. He is held on half a million dollar cash bond. Saad’s team is kicked out of the soccer league.
July 1, 2014 John Bieniewicz dies. His death is ruled a homicide.
February 16, 2015 trial is scheduled to begin… but Saad pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter
March 13, 2015 Saad is sentenced to 8-15 years in prison (if found guilty in a trial, he could have faced life in prison). He’s reportedly instructed to pay $9,265 in restitution to Bieniewicz's family.
The case against Bassel Saad has put a spotlight on out-of-control recreational athletes and has motivated Michigan lawmakers to consider new crimes for assaults on sports referees. Bills pending in the Senate would bring longer jail or prison sentences in such incidents. Bieniewicz's wife has testified at Michigan's capital about proposed legislation she supports that would make it a felony to assault a sports official in the state. People have donated more than $104,000 for the Bieniewicz family through their GoFundMe page.
Source: Mediacom Today, WXYZ