By BOB OLIVER
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — The preliminary examination of the evidence against the McCollough-Unis assistant principal facing felony charges in two cases was delayed for a second time, and the defendant has been referred for a competency hearing.
Fady Soueidan, 42, appeared before 19th District Court Judge Sam Salamey for a preliminary exam Friday but his attorney, Arthur Weiss, requested that Soueidan be given an evaluation of his competence and criminal responsibility at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Saline.
“On the basis of the discovery that I’ve had and conversations with my client, I really believe that the matter should be referred to the forensic center,” Weiss said. “I believe that the necessity of the evaluation constitutes good cause to delay this examination.”
The examination now is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 8 before Salamey.
Soueidan was first scheduled for a preliminary exam April 4 but it was adjourned at the request of Weiss to allow additional time to review the discovery evidence in the case
Soueidan is charged with first degree home invasion, larceny in a building, aggravated stalking and domestic violence assault and battery.
The first three counts are felonies with maximum penalties of 20, four and five years, respectively. The domestic violence charge is a misdemeanor with a penalty of a maximum of 93 days in jail.
Soueidan remains in custody but bond was continued at $100,000 cash/surety with conditions that upon release the defendant must wear a GPS tether and not make contact with his wife or family.
Salamey ordered Soueidan to turn in his keys to the school during his arraignment March 25 and he is currently suspended from his position with the Dearborn Public Schools.
It is alleged that at 11 p.m. March 22 Soueidan violated a personal protection order his wife had obtained against him by going to their house on Hampshire Court and physically assaulting her before stealing her cell phone.
The PPO had been filed against Soueidan on March 18.
Police responded to an emergency call of family trouble at the residence and arrested Soueidan without
incident.
In the other case, it is alleged that at 8:15 p.m. March 14 Soueidan went to an apartment in the 36000 block of McKinley in Westland to visit a woman he was acquainted with and while there kicked in the front door and stole the woman’s cell phone.
He was arraigned before 18th District Court Judge Sandra Cicirelli three days later on the charges of first degree home invasion and interfering with a crime report.
Soueidan was also referred for a competency evaluation in that case and will have his preliminary exam at 1:30 p.m. June 12.
The maximum penalty for first degree home invasion is 20 years while the interfering charge is a misdemeanor with a penalty of one year in prison.
(Bob Oliver can be reached at [email protected].)