Death penalty upheld for child killer

Hanlei, who was convicted in the death of a 2-year-old girl pulled from her stroller, is on trial at the Beijing's High People's Court, Nov 29, 2013.[Photo/Xinhua]

Beijing's High People's Court upheld the death penalty Friday for Han Lei, who was convicted in the death of a 2-year-old girl pulled from her stroller.

Han, 39, was sentenced to death for homicide at Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court on Sept 25, but he appealed to the higher court. He provided some new evidence on Nov 19, when the higher court heard his case.

Han pulled the girl from her stroller, in what he said he regarded as a handcart, after arguing with her mother over parking in the capital's Daxing district on July 23.

Two days later the girl died of serious head injuries. During the two trials, Han maintained that he did not mean to harm the child, insisting it was his carelessness that caused her death. Han's lawyer did not comment after the verdict announcement.