American Who Worked for C.I.A. Freed in Pakistan

LAHORE, Pakistan — American officials won the release on Wednesday of a C.I.A. contractor under investigation for two counts of murder here after they spent more than six hours with the families of the victims, the lawyer for the families Asad Manzoor Butt said.

The families accepted a payment of money, ending the case, Mr. Butt said. He did not specify the amount.

The Punjab law minister, Rana Sanaullah, confirmed on television that payment had been agreed to and paid, and that the contractor, Raymond A. Davis, 36, had been handed over to the United States consul general.

Mr. Butts also said he thought Mr. Davis had already left the jail. A five-car convoy from the United States consulate left the Kot Lakhpat jail at 4:20 p.m., local time.

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