Man charged with killing Mich. referee pleads not guilty

LIVONIA, Mich. - A Detroit-area soccer player accused of killing a referee with a punch to the neck has made an initial court appearance on a second-degree murder charge. The suspect's bail was set at $1 million.

Baseel Abdul-Amir Saad was arraigned Thursday in Livonia District Court and pleaded not guilty. Judge Kathleen McCann called the incident "a horrendous tragedy" and ordered a $1 million bond. She also set a preliminary hearing for July 30, reports CBS Detroit.

John Bieniewicz died last week from injuries sustained June 29. Police and prosecutors say Saad struck Bieniewicz as the 44-year-old soccer referee announced his decision to eject him from a men's league game.

Saad, a 36-year-old auto mechanic from Dearborn, initially was charged with assault, but prosecutors amended the charge after Bieniewicz died.

Hammoud said his client is "extremely remorseful" and "has been crying ever since."

Defense lawyer Ali Hammoud said in court that his client left the field after the incident because he feared the situation "would escalate." He argued for a reduction in bond, but the prosecuting attorney argued against it on the grounds Saad might be a flight risk. The suspect left the United States for an extended period of time as recently as one year ago, according to the station.

Bieniewicz worked at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, in the pediatric dialysis unit. He lived with his wife and two sons in Westland, Mich., CBS Detroit reports.

A funeral for Bieniewicz was planned for Thursday.

If convicted, Saad faces up to life in prison.