The issue focused on why law enforcement officials had not taken further action to prevent Mr. Azari's murder.

The Justice Department has been pushing for federal enforcement of federal laws that criminalize sexual assault. But state officials have generally declined to step in.

In court papers, federal prosecutors said that law enforcement officials had made one arrest in the case, and that they had sent the case to the Justice Department for consideration of prosecution.

But they said that had not led to charges.

