Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Pakistan Delays Decision on US State Department Employee VOA News February 17, 2011 A Pakistani court has adjourned until March 14 without ruling on whether a U.S. State Department employee accused of murder has diplomatic immunity. The High Court in the northeastern Pakistani city of Lahore set the new date on Thursday to decide the status of Raymond Davis, who is accused of killing two Pakistanis. Davis, who says he acted in self-defense after the two men tried to rob him at gunpoint on January 27, remains in Pakistani custody despite the U.S. insistence he has diplomatic immunity.  Legal officials said the Pakistani government needs more time to prepare its opinion on Davis's status. The State Department said it will present a formal petition for diplomatic immunity in an effort to win his release. Pakistani police reject Davis' version of events and say that their investigation found it to be a case of murder. The January incident, complicated by the death of a third Pakistani struck by a U.S. diplomatic vehicle rushing to Davis's aid, has inflamed anti-American sentiment across the country. U.S. Senator John Kerry traveled to Pakistan this week in a bid to try and resolve the dispute. On Wednesday he said the case was a "complicated political issue" but that he is hopeful the two countries will be able to resolve it soon. Kerry met with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.  Prime Minister Gilani's office issued a statement Wednesday, saying there might be another solution to the case -- which relatives of the two killed Pakistanis pardon the American in return for compensation. Such a solution is in accordance with Islamic law. Senator Kerry said that the U.S. government will launch its own criminal investigation into the incident if Davis is freed. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. .