Some evidence issues set in case of ref's death

DETROIT (AP) - Jurors in the case of a Detroit-area soccer player charged with killing a referee won't hear about a past assault conviction. A Wayne County judge held a hearing last Wednesday to go through pre-trial matters in the case against Bassel Saad. He's charged with second-degree murder in the death of John Bieniewicz, who was punched in the head during a game. In 2005, Saad struck another player and was convicted of assault. Judge Thomas Cameron says it can't be used by prosecutors, but they can show photos of Saad extending his middle finger as he drove away from the field in Livonia last summer. A trial is expected next year. Saad's lawyer says the second-degree murder charge is excessive. Bieniewicz lived in Westland with his wife and two sons. Published: Mon, Dec 01, 2014