An Irish carpenter cleared of murder charges on Thursday is to remain in prison after prosecutor and defence lawyers in San Francisco failed to reach an agreement yesterday on whether he should face manslaughter charges.
Mr William Monaghan (27), originally from Meath, is to remain in a San Francisco prison at least until June 23rd, after lawyers agreed yesterday to bring the case back before the court in an attempt to find a resolution.
A jury of twelve people found Mr Monaghan not guilty of murdering Swiss animator Mr Lionel Voillat by throwing him into San Francisco bay during a Halloween boat party. However they failed to reach agreement on manslaughter charges.
Mr Voillat's fiancée has expressed hope that the case will soon be over and Mr Monaghan will be set free. Mr Monaghan had hoped to leave prison yesterday but was told his lawyers had not reached an agreement with the prosecutor's office.
A spokesman for the Attorney General said prosecutors have yet to decide whether to try Mr Monaghan again on the manslaughter charges.