Beijing baby killer appeals for light sentence

Han Lei, 39, a man who was accused of killing a two-year-old girl by throwing her to the ground, is on trial at the Beijing No.1 Intermediate People's Court in Beijing, capital of China, Sept 25, 2013, file photo. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- A man who killed a two-year-old girl by throwing her to the ground, lodged an appeal through his attorney on Tuesday after receiving death penalty about two weeks ago.

Han Lei, 39, grabbed a girl from her pram and hurled her to the ground in Daxing District of Beijing on July 23 after an argument with her mother over a parking space.

Han was sentenced to death by Beijing No.1 Intermediate People's Court on September 25, on charges of intentional homicide.

Han appealed to have his crime reduced to involuntary homicide on the grounds that he didn't know it was a baby carriage or that he was hurling a baby.

According to China's law, involuntary homicide will be sentenced to three to seven years' imprisonment, while intentional homicide will be given the death penalty.