Slain Chinese girl's family wants longer sentence for killer

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP/KSAZ) - The family of a Chinese college student gunned down in a road rage incident in Arizona is pleading with a judge to reject an agreement lowering charges against the young girl's killer.

The family of 19-year-old Yue Jiang traveled from China to Arizona this week to seek a harsher sentence for Holly Davis, the woman charged with fatally shooting Jiang following a car crash.

Davis was charged with first-degree murder and other charges. But she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, which comes with a maximum 25-year sentence. Prosecutors say Davis admitted to using drugs, and was struggling with depression at the time of Jiang's death.

The family says the plea agreement demeans Jiang's life and that Davis should serve life in prison.

"Such a decision and approval of the plea bargain can not be, and is not reasonable and not fair," said family member Katherine Xu. "We, the Jiang family and our 10,000 supporters, do not believe it is acceptable to the legal system."

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office issued a statement that reads, in part:

Jiang's family is set to meet with Judge Warrin Grandville on Tuesday to express their concerns. Meanwhile, Holly Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday.

The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.