Han Lei [Beijing News]

A Beijing court on Monday began hearing the homicide case of a man accused of lifting a 34-month-old toddler and hurling her to the ground in July.

The court hearing began at 9:30 a.m. at the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court and ended at noon.

The verdict has yet to be announced by the court.

Relatives of the child asked for a total of 2.73 million yuan (443,513 U.S. dollars) in civil compensation during the court hearing.

Han Lei has been charged with intentional homicide for killing the baby girl. After a dispute with the baby's mother over a parking space, Han lifted the girl from her carriage and hurled her to the ground in the Daxing District of Beijing on July 23.

Han fled the scene but was captured the next day.

The girl was severely injured and died days later despite treatment.

Prosecutors recommended that Han, who committed the crime within a year of being released from prison for another crime, be given the death sentence.

Li Ming, who helped Han flee the scene, turned himself over to the police two days later and has been charged with harboring a criminal. Prosecutors recommended that Li be given a two-year jail term.