N. Phila. man held for trial in death of infant son

A North Philadelphia man was held for trial on a murder charge Wednesday in the beating death of his 11-month-old son. Clavond Gallop, 42, will face trial on a general count of murder and child endangerment in the Nov. 21 death of his son, Joshua, Municipal Judge Bradley K. Moss ruled after the preliminary hearing.

Police said Gallop called 911 at 6:40 a.m. Nov. 21 to report that his son was unconscious and that he had dropped the boy while holding him.

Assistant Medical Examiner Gary Collins testified that Joshua had died from being beaten and shaken. The boy had two skull fractures, broken ribs, and bruises that showed he had been struck at least 11 times. Homicide Detective James Crone testified that Gallop ultimately had confessed to beating and shaking his son after a day and night of heavy drinking. - Joseph A. Slobodzian