Jury in Mayor Marty Small trial fails to reach verdict, deliberations to resume Thursday

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- Jurors in the trial of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small were unable to reach a verdict Wednesday and will resume deliberations at 9 a.m. Thursday.

The jury submitted several questions throughout the day, including a query around 2:40 p.m. asking the judge what would happen if they could not reach a consensus on one of the counts.

The judge responded that they had not been deliberating long and instructed them to continue.

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After the jury left the courtroom at the end of the day, the judge told attorneys to prepare for the possibility of a partial verdict.

Small, who has remained silent in front of cameras throughout the trial, did not comment as he left court Wednesday.

Jurors also asked for definitions of legal terms related to the charges, including the meaning of "a minimum degree of care" in connection with the endangering the welfare of a child charge.

They also sought clarification on the difference between simple assault and aggravated assault.

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Earlier in the day, the jury re-listened to recordings from an incident inside the Small household about 10 days before the alleged assault. In those recordings, Small allegedly said he was going to "earth slam" his daughter.

Small is accused of beating his daughter in January 2024.

She testified for the prosecution last week.

Small testified in his own defense, denying the allegations of child abuse. Dozens of character witnesses also testified for the defense.

Small's wife, LaQuetta Small, who is superintendent of Atlantic City schools, is also charged. Her trial is scheduled for January.

If Small is convicted of a third-degree crime or higher - any of the four charges against him - he will be required to step down as mayor.