The lawyer for the Serbian man wanted in the beating of a Binghamton University student from Broooklyn says Serbian officials have tried to convince him to voluntarily return to the United States, but, as of today, his client refuses to go.

The lawyer told the Associated Press that the former Binghamton basketball player Miladin Kovacevic has also turned down a plea deal from the U.S., under which he would plead guilty and serve 12 years in prison.

Kovacevic is accused of severely beating Bryan Steinhauer during a fight in bar near the school in May.

Steinhauer recently started to emerge from a coma. In response to this latest news, his family released a statement saying, "The Steinhauers continue to focus on their son's recovery....but do find it difficult to see Mr. Kovacevic living his life as a free man while their son's life is on hold with a future that remains unclear. They remain hopeful that Mr. Kovacevik will return to face justice."

Kovacevic fled to Serbia while out on bail.