Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. acquitted of all charges related to allegations of abusing his teenage daughter.

In a significant legal development, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. was acquitted of child endangerment and related charges on Thursday, following allegations of assault against his teenage daughter. The verdict was reached by a jury after two days of deliberation, during which they found Small not guilty of several serious charges, including aggravated assault, witness tampering, and making terroristic threats.

The case against the 51-year-old mayor involved claims made by his daughter, who alleged that both he and his wife had physically assaulted her following their disapproval of her relationship with a young man. Prosecutors argued that the household environment escalated into episodes of violence, including allegations that Small struck his daughter on the head with a broom, leading to her being rendered unconscious.

During the trial, the jury was presented with various forms of evidence, including recorded conversations in which Small allegedly threatened his daughter. Testimony from a pediatrician suggested that the injuries observed on the teenager were inconsistent with accidental harm, raising serious concerns regarding the family’s home dynamics. The prosecution focused on these injuries and related incidents to build a case asserting that Small’s actions constituted criminal behavior.

Defense attorneys, however, contended that the accusations were fabricated. Small’s lawyer, Louis Barbone, described the trial as one of “extortion by child,” highlighting a narrative that portrayed the mayor as a father who merely sought to discipline a rebellious teenager. The defense also presented over 40 character witnesses to support Small’s reputation as a caring parent.

Small took the stand, denying the allegations of abuse and expressing love for his daughter, contesting her version of events throughout the proceedings. The defense posited that the young girl had conspired with her boyfriend to fabricate claims against her father.

In a related context, Small’s wife, La’Quetta Small, who is also facing charges stemming from the same incidents, is scheduled for trial in January. She faces allegations of endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault. Additionally, Constance Days-Chapman, the principal of the high school attended by the Smalls’ daughter and former campaign manager for Small, faces charges for failing to report the abuse after the girl came forward.

The outcomes of these cases raise critical questions about child welfare and protective measures in family settings, as well as the broader implications for public figures embroiled in personal legal disputes. The acquittal of Mayor Small, amid ongoing trials of those implicated in the allegations, continues to attract attention in the surrounding community. Media News Source continues to monitor this evolving story as it unfolds.