A 23-year-old Long Beach man was found guilty Tuesday of murdering his girlfriend’s 13-month-old son. The jury deliberated for one hour before convicting Anthony Jerome Hall Jr.
Hall was found guilty of one count of second-degree murder and assault on a child causing death, according to Deputy District Attorney Bob Hight. Hall faces a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison and will be sentenced by Judge Gary Ferrari on March 15.
Hall killed 13-month-old Nathan Coleman on September 19, 2008 in Los Angeles, then traveled by public transportation to Long Beach and dumped Coleman’s body in a dumpster according to authorities. The young boy suffered at least 11 hard blows to the body, including severe skull fracture.
Hall initially claimed that Coleman had been kidnapped but then admitted to law enforcement that he committed the crime. Despite the recorded confession, Hall claimed during the trial that the boy’s mother committed the murder.
Hall’s sentencing will take place in Long Beach Superior Court on March 15.