MAYS LANDING, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Closing arguments ended on Tuesday in the child abuse trial against Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small. Each side took about an hour to make their final case to the jury, highlighting evidence they believe tells the true story.
Small and his wife, La’Quetta Small, are charged with physically and emotionally abusing their then-15-year-old daughter on multiple occasions between late 2023 and early 2024.
In one instance, she 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.
In closing arguments, both the defense and prosecution urged the jury to believe their version of the events and accused the other side of lying.
Prosecutors said Small’s daughter, now 17, 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.
They again pointed to video clips taken from inside the Small household, which they said show a father who lost his patience and temper with his daughter, resulting in multiple beatings.
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.
They also pointed out that the prosecution never called the daughter’s boyfriend — who recorded many of the videos — to testify. Defense attorneys called him a manipulator, noting that he has a pending $2 million lawsuit against the city.
Marty Small is also accused of telling his daughter to lie about the abuse. The Smalls have repeatedly said this was a personal family issue that comes with the challenges of raising a teenager, and that their home remains loving and intact.
The jury is set to begin deliberations on Tuesday afternoon.
Marty Small ran for reelection and won in November with more than 60% of the vote. If convicted, he would be barred from serving out his term and could spend more than 20 years behind bars.
The trial against La’Quetta Small, who is the superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools, is scheduled to take place in the new year.