newjerseynewsroom.com

He and 13 others accused of voter fraud

Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small and five others were acquitted Monday of wrongdoing in the 2009 Democratic mayoral primary.

The verdict was the climax to the lengthy voter-fraud trial in Mays Landing.

"I feel vindicated," Small said outside the courthouse. Minutes earlier, Small wiped tears from his eyes as the jury foreman repeatedly said, “Not guilty” to the 99 charges against him and the others who took part in his mayoral campaign.

A jury cleared him of similar charges in 2006 and the state Attorney General’s office wanted a finding of guilty this time around.

"All along I said I couldn't wait for my day in court," Small told The Press of Atlantic City. "This has been a long journey for my family and toward vindicating our name."

Small and 13 others were indicted in 2009, accused of disenfranchising voters and mishandling absentee and messenger ballots. Two men pleaded guilty, although one had his deal with the state revoked after his strange behavior on the witness stand caused the state to ask that his entire testimony be stricken. The six others are supposed to go on trial later this year.

"We are disappointed but must respect the verdict of the jury," Attorney General Paula T. Dow said. "The prosecutors, detectives and other personnel assigned to this case gave it their all in the interest of safeguarding fair elections and the fundamental right of citizens to vote. I commend them for the skill and dedication with which they conducted this trial and the underlying investigation."

Members of the jury that sat through the two-month long trial left the courthouse parking lot beeping their horns and some pumped their fists, The Press reported.

– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM