NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Opening arguments are set to begin Monday in the trial for Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, accused of beating his teenage daughter on multiple occasions from late 2023 into early 2024.
His wife, La’Quetta Small, and Atlantic City High School principal Constance Days-Chapman are also facing charges of their own for their alleged behavior.
La’Quetta Small, who is Atlantic City School Superintendent, is charged with physical and emotional abuse of their daughter. Days-Chapman allegedly failed to notify authorities when she learned of the situation.
Jury selection took three days and not without controversy, as only one of the 12 jurors and two alternates selected is Black. The Smalls and Days-Chapman are Black.
Marty Small claimed the charges against him are politically motivated. He was offered a plea deal this summer to avoid jail time if he resigned as mayor and didn’t seek reelection, which he refused. He ran for reelection and won in November with more than 60% of the vote.
The Smalls called any allegations against them normal parental issues stemming from the stress of raising a teenage daughter. They said their home remains loving and intact.
If convicted, Small could face more than 20 years in prison and be ineligible to serve out his term as mayor.