The trial of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, charged with assaulting his teenage daughter, began on Monday with a flurry of courtroom drama.
The Charges
The case centers on allegations that Small endangered his 17‑year‑old daughter’s welfare, committed aggravated assault, and tampered with a witness. Prosecutors argue that the incident involved a broom striking the daughter’s legs. The jury will decide whether the evidence meets the legal thresholds for each charge.
Prosecutors’ Case
“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,” one of the prosecutors told the jury. Inside the courtroom, prosecutors said Small pummeled his daughter in the legs with a broom. They presented testimony and evidence that the broom was used as a weapon during the altercation.
Defense’s Narrative
Small’s defense painted a different picture of the incident. “When Small went to go talk to his daughter, his attorneys argued she had a knife in her hand, went toward him and was getting ready to strike him with a broom, but fell back and hit her head,” the attorneys recounted. They emphasized that the broom was not used as a weapon. “There was never a day in the life of Marty Small where he picked up a broom and struck his daughter,” the defense said in court.
Family Dynamics
Attorneys for Small and his wife, who is also facing charges that will be presented at a separate trial, said the couple was concerned about their daughter’s behavior and relationship with her boyfriend. “This case is about one day being a parent looking at your child’s cell phone and seeing sex talk with a boyfriend,” Small’s lawyer argued. The defense highlighted the family’s distress over the daughter’s conduct.
Jury’s Decision
The jury, composed of local residents, listened to both sides as they presented their arguments. They will weigh the prosecution’s evidence of a broom assault against the defense’s claim of a defensive act. The outcome will hinge on how the jury interprets the credibility of witnesses and the context of the alleged incident.
Upcoming Testimony
It was revealed in court that both Mayor Small and his 17‑year‑old daughter are expected to testify in the trial, which will continue on Tuesday. Their testimony will provide direct insight into the events that led to the charges. The court will also hear additional evidence from both sides.
Media Coverage
Small had no comment for NBC10’s Lauren Mayk as he entered the courthouse in Mays Landing. NBC10 will continue covering the trial and bring the latest updates on TV and here on the web. Viewers can expect daily updates as the case progresses.
Key Takeaways
- Mayor Marty Small faces charges of child welfare endangerment, aggravated assault, and witness tampering.
- Prosecutors claim Small used a broom to assault his daughter, while the defense argues she was defending herself.
- Both Small and his daughter will testify, with the trial continuing into Tuesday.
The trial highlights the intersection of public office and personal conduct, underscoring the scrutiny faced by elected officials in matters of family and law.
