The owner of a Brooklyn construction site was found not guilty of a manslaughter charge in connection with a construction accident that killed a day laborer, the New York Times reported.

The charges came in the wake of a series of high-profile New York City construction accidents and crane accidents in 2008. While acknowledging it was a difficult case to prove, the District Attorney's office had hoped to send a message to builders and those responsible for safety at construction sites. Those dealing with a serious or fatal injury at or near a New York construction site may also seek damages through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

The site owner was found not guilty of the manslaughter charge and was also acquitted on charges of criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment. Two civil suits remain pending: One filed by the victim's family and another by the family who owned a home next door, which ultimately had to be demolished.

Prosecutors attempted to prove that the property owner ignored the dangers, even after being warned about an unsafe trench at 791 Glenmore Avenue. In March 2008, a laborer was working in the trench, when he was killed after the foundation collapsed on the home next door.

The state argued that the property owner cut corners by completing some of the measurements himself instead of using the professional services of an architect and an engineer. Faulty measurements led to the undermining of the foundation next door as the crew prepared the foundation for a new coin laundry.

The owner's defense attorney admitted that his client made a mistake, but argued it did not amount to the kind of reckless disregard for human life that is necessary to prove the criminal charges.