In a courtroom that saw the mayor cry and shout “Thank you, Jesus,” Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small was found not guilty on all charges after a week of testimony and evidence.
Acquittal After Week-Long Trial
The 51‑year‑old Democrat faced a slate of serious accusations: second‑degree endangering the welfare of a child, third‑degree terroristic threats, third‑degree aggravated assault, and disorderly persons simple assault. NBC10 reported that the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on every count.
When the verdict was announced, Small stood in the courtroom, visibly emotional, and said, “The entire Atlantic City was on trial and this was a win for everyone. But most importantly, not only I, but my wife and Mandy have been dragged through the mud for nonsense. And today I thank god, who is first in my life, and I give him all the glory.”
Testimony and Allegations
Small and his wife, La’Quetta Small, 48, superintendent of the Atlantic City Public School system, had been charged with physically and emotionally abusing their then‑15‑year‑old daughter between late 2023 and early 2024. The daughter, now 17, testified that her father hit her with a broom, knocked her unconscious and left her hospitalized. She also claimed that her father punched her in the legs and hit her with a belt, and that her mother beat her in her grandmother’s bedroom.
During closing arguments, both sides urged the jury to accept their version of events. One prosecutor told the jury, “The defendant, he’s the mayor of Atlantic City. He is powerful. He is in control; people believe him because of the position of power he is in in that city.”
When Small took the stand, he began emotionally, describing a close relationship with his daughter. “She meant the world to me and I would do anything to protect her,” he said. “I was her best friend and she was my best friend.”
He went on to explain that his daughter’s behavior changed after she began dating a boyfriend. “The way he was talking to her, he controlled her mind,” Small said. He described derogatory messages and orders he claimed to see on her cell phone, and said she was upset when the parents took her phone. In one incident he noted, she bit his hand.
Small denied the broom allegation, stating, “I did not hit my daughter with a broom. I did not hit my daughter with a bristle.” He recounted an incident in which the daughter threw detergent at him and later picked up a butter knife, adding, “If it was a butter knife, a plastic knife or bat, no child should wave an object at their parent.”
Courtroom Evidence and Defense
The prosecution presented photos showing physical injuries on the daughter’s body, according to KYW Newsradio. The defense countered that multiple medical examinations found no evidence of abuse and argued that a parent’s threats of violence do not equate to actual abuse.
La’Quetta Small is scheduled to go on trial next year on second‑degree endangering the welfare of a child and disorderly persons simple assault. She faces accusations of dragging the teen by her hair, punching her in the chest and face, and hitting her with a belt.
Key Takeaways
- Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small was acquitted on all child‑abuse and related charges.
- The trial featured testimony from the mayor’s daughter, claims of physical abuse, and photographic evidence.
- The defense cited medical exams that found no evidence of abuse; the prosecution presented photos of injuries.
The verdict marks a significant moment for the mayor and his family, who have been under intense public scrutiny. The case underscores the complexities of domestic abuse allegations and the legal standards required for conviction.
Closing
NBC10’s coverage captured the emotional atmosphere of the courtroom, with Small expressing gratitude to God and the jury. As the city moves forward, the next trial involving La’Quetta Small will bring new scrutiny to the family’s conduct.
