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Man charged with fatally punching soccer referee agrees to plea deal: lawyer

The Associated Press Published Friday, February 20, 2015 9:45AM EST

This undated photo provided by Jim Bieniewicz shows his brother, soccer referee John Bieniewicz, 44, right, with his family. Bieniewicz was attacked while officiating at an adult league game in the Detroit suburb of Livonia, Mich., on Sunday, June 29, 2014. Bieniewicz lost consciousness and died Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at a hospital. (AP Photo/Jim Bieniewicz)

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DETROIT - A lawyer for a soccer player charged in the one-punch killing of a referee during a game says his client has agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors in which he would serve 8-15 years in prison.

Attorney Cyril Hall told The Associated Press he expects Bassel Saad to plead either guilty or no contest to involuntary manslaughter during a hearing Friday in Detroit. A message was left Friday with the prosecutor.

Saad's trial had been scheduled to begin Monday. The 36-year-old auto mechanic is charged with second-degree murder.

Authorities say Saad struck John Bieniewicz once in the head during a match last summer. The 44-year-old Bieniewicz died two days later.

Bieniewicz's wife, Kris, said earlier this week she hoped Saad "never sees the light of day."

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This undated file photo provided by the Livonia Police Department in Livonia, Mich., shows Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad, a Detroit-area soccer player who is accused of killing soccer referee John Bieniewicz with a punch to his neck. (AP Photo/Livonia Police Department)