Trial Continues For Man Accused Of Beating Infant Son

The trial continued Tuesday for a man accused of beating his 8-week-old son last year.

Officials played a recording of John Nerone's 911 call. Nerone, who is on trial, was crying and asking the 911 dispatecher for help and pleading with the baby to breath.

In the phone call, Nerone told the dispatcher the infant had thrown his head back very hard and said he thought the infant's neck was broken.

In the background, the baby was making soft sounds, like hiccups.

A first responder at the scene -- one of Nerone's fellow Middle Taylor Township firefighters -- said Nerone told him he head-butted the baby while the infant was throwing a tantrum and said, "I think I broke his neck."

Detective Lawrence Wagner with the Johnstown Police Department also testified. Wagner arrested Nerone after doctors told him the baby's broken ribs and bruises were signs of abuse. Wagner testified that he relayed that information to Nerone when he handcuffed him and Nerone said, "If I did anything wrong, why would I call 911?"

Two other key witnesses are expected to testify Tuesday: another detective with the Johnstown Police Department who is handling the case and John Nerone's wife, Sara Nerone.

The defense is also expected to call witnesses to the stand. Officials with the district attorney's office said they have no indication how many witnesses the defense will call.

During opening statements Monday, John Nerone's defense attorneys said they plan to prove there was a deep, dark secret in Nerone's family that will prove his innocence.

Prosecutors said they will prove that the infant's brain was bleeding, he had broken ribs and his skull was fractured. They will call experts to testify that there had been past abuse and that the baby had dried blood on his brain and old bruising.

The infant lived, but officials said he is on a feeding tube and will have some developmental problems.

Stay with WJAC-TV News and WJACTV.com for continuing coverage.

Previous Stories: March 8, 2010: Trial Under Way For Man Accused Of Severely Abusing Infant Son