In a significant legal victory, Atlantic City’s mayor, Marty Small Sr., has been acquitted of charges alleging that he assaulted and verbally abused his teenage daughter. The jury’s decision, reached after a week-long trial, brings closure to a case that the mayor insists was driven by political motivations.

The charges against Small, which included aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and endangering the welfare of a child, were filed last year. His wife, La’Quetta Small, also faced charges of endangering the welfare of a child. However, the jury’s verdict on Thursday cleared the mayor of all allegations, leaving him visibly relieved and celebrating with supporters outside the courthouse.

Expressing his joy, Small described the acquittal as a “great day” and remarked, “The entire Atlantic City was on trial, and this is a win for everyone.” His comments underscored the broader implications he believes the case had for the community.

Throughout the proceedings, both Small and his wife maintained their innocence. Re-elected while the legal battle was ongoing, Mayor Small has consistently argued that the charges were influenced by adversaries seeking to undermine his political career. This recent triumph in court may bolster his standing in the city he continues to lead.

He and his wife denied any wrongdoing. The mayor, who was reelected as he was facing the charges, believed there were “political forces” who were against him and his wife.

He also spoke about his daughter.

La’Quetta Small’s case remains ongoing.

As Law&Crime previously reported, the abuse is alleged to have happened over “multiple occasions” in December 2023 and January 2024.

“During one incident, on Jan. 13, 2024, Marty Small, Sr. is alleged to have hit his daughter multiple times in the head with a broom causing her to lose consciousness,” prosecutors wrote in a statement. “Another incident on Jan. 3, 2024, alleged that Marty Small, Sr., during an argument with his daughter, continuously threatened to hurt her by ‘earth slamming’ her down the stairs, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and smacking the weave out of her head.”

Prosecutors said La’Quetta Small repeatedly punched her daughter in the chest, leaving bruising. In another incident, she allegedly dragged the girl by her hair before beating her with a belt on her shoulders, which left marks. She also punched the girl in the mouth during an argument, prosecutors claim.

Philadelphia NBC affiliate WCAU obtained an arrest affidavit that laid out more of the case. The girl reportedly admitted she had previously invented abuse claims because she was upset they wouldn’t let her go out friends, but she photographed her injuries and sent the photos to her boyfriend, who gave them to prosecutors. Prosecutors also obtained voice recordings of arguments between her and her parents, the affidavit reportedly said. She also allegedly said she did not feel safe at home.

Marty Small, a Democrat, was elected mayor in 2019 after a 15-year stint on the city council. La’Quetta Small became Atlantic County Schools superintendent in 2022, the first Black woman to hold the position. She’s worked in the school system for over 20 years, her biography said.