MAYS LANDING, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small has been found not guilty on all charges of physically and emotionally abusing his teenage daughter.
As the fourth and final charge read "not guilty," Small burst out in tears and jubilation in the courtroom. "Thank you, Jesus," he cried.
Small and his wife, La’Quetta Small, were accused of abusing their then-15-year-old daughter on multiple occasions between late 2023 and early 2024.
During the nearly two-week-long trial, the Smalls’ daughter, now 17, testified that her father hit her with a broom and knocked her unconscious. She was taken to the hospital three days later after complaining about headaches. During other events, she said her father punched her in the legs and hit her with a belt, and she said her mother beat her in her grandmother’s bedroom.
Prosecutors said she was incredibly brave to speak out in court about the alleged abuse, adding she has nothing to gain by lying about what happened to her and showing photos of physical abuse to her body. On the other hand, prosecutors said Marty Small has everything to lose if convicted.
Atlantic County prosecutor William Reynolds said he disagreed with the verdict and is praying for the daughter.
“And to know this jury chose to reject her complaints is just very disappointing," he said.
The defense, however, said multiple medical exams showed no evidence of abuse. Attorneys argued that a parent’s threats of violence do not equate to abuse.
After two days of deliberations, the jury ultimately acquitted Marty Small of all four charges, which included endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, and witness tampering.
The mayor ran for reelection and won in November with more than 60% of the vote. If convicted, he would have been barred from serving out his term and could have spent more than 20 years behind bars.
A separate trial against La’Quetta Small, who is the superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools, is scheduled to take place in the new year.