He was a foreign student (F1-Visa) (and part-owner of a convenience store?).

Another story in chron today: wife's stabbing claimed as self-defense:

Husband is not charged yet and perhaps won't get charged; but this might not be what really happened there. Another two stories from Houston this week; a black father beat his kid to death, bond set at $50K; another homicide case by a black person, bond set at $1 million; don't understand the basis for these bonds.

American justice system has many flaws but is still far better and transparent than any South-Asian country. If you are rich, you have more chances of getting away from situations like this by hiring better lawyers in USA (only to an extent) and by bribing a justice in Nepal. Here, a lawyer needs to paid handsomely; back home, it is a justice (that's the difference). There was a case of one houstonian millionaire involved in intoxicated manslaughter in Florida; he's still out and the case is still going on. Another case of Van der Sloot; he not only got away of the murder but also fooled the authorities to cash away with $25K. I watched 'Runaway Jury' few weeks ago; I think it is one of a must watch movies.