Jury to determine guilt of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. in child abuse trial.

MAYS LANDING, N.J. – The child abuse trial of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. concluded its week-long proceedings on Tuesday, with attorneys delivering their closing arguments in New Jersey Superior Court. Small, who is 51 years old and was reelected earlier this year, faces serious allegations alongside his wife, La’Quetta Small, claiming they abused their teenage daughter in late 2023 and early 2024. Both defendants firmly deny these allegations, asserting their innocence.

Defense attorney Louis Barbone articulated the family’s position, asserting the charges lack merit. Small faces multiple charges, including endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, and witness tampering. During his testimony, Small expressed his commitment to his daughter’s safety, denying claims that he struck her with a broom as alleged. He testified that he would do anything to protect her, emphasizing the familial bond that he claims was threatened by these accusations.

The prosecution contends that Small engaged in physical harm towards his daughter and attempted to conceal the abuse, noting that tensions heightened over her involvement with a boy the couple disapproved of. Testimonies indicated that Small allegedly punched and struck her with a belt, escalating to accusations of using a broom as a weapon. Assistant Prosecutor Elizabeth Fischer underscored the notion that violence is not an acceptable form of discipline, defining abuse as an unequivocal failure in parenting.

Over 40 witnesses were called to testify in support of Small, while Barbone criticized the prosecution for overreaching into a family dispute. He described the situation as an unjust spectacle, questioning the motivations behind the case. He painted a narrative wherein the teenage girl allegedly misled medical personnel and investigators regarding her injuries and detailed a struggle that resulted in her inadvertently hitting her head.

The trial highlighted underlying familial conflicts, particularly surrounding the daughter’s relationships and interactions with her parents. Barbone pointed to the daughter’s explicit communications with her boyfriend as a significant factor in the strained relations, while Fischer emphasized the bravery required for the girl to testify against her parents, who hold notable positions of influence in Atlantic City. The prosecution has indicated that La’Quetta Small will face charges of child endangerment in a separate trial set to begin in January.

The court heard emotional testimony regarding the girl’s reported injuries, with medical professionals describing them as “nonaccidental” and suggesting that child abuse may have occurred. Prosecutors highlighted failures by school officials to report initial allegations, underscoring a broader issue of accountability in safeguarding minors.

As the defense and prosecution prepare for a jury’s deliberation, critical questions about parenting and abuse, the responsibilities of authority figures, and the nature of familial conflict are likely to resonate beyond this trial. The trial not only implicates the Small family’s personal narrative but also reflects the complexities of trauma and accountability within public service dynamics. The case has garnered significant attention, spotlighting the intersection of personal and public life in the realm of politics.

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