Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small is not guilty of abusing his daughter and then telling her to lie about it, a jury found Thursday, after less than two full days of deliberations.
But what does this mean for his wife and their close friend, suspended Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman?
That is not yet decided, Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said during a news conference following the verdict.
"We are going to discuss the charges against (Atlantic City Superintendent of Schools) La'Quetta Small internally here and with the victim, their daughter, and there is no decision yet whether that case will proceed or not proceed," he said. "It's simply going to be an internal meeting and a victim meeting, and then we'll go on to evaluate if charges proceed or not. That decision has not been made at this point."
La'Quetta Small faces a charge of child endangerment. Her trial originally was set for Jan. 12, but now is on the calendar for April 20, her attorney, Michael Schreiber, confirmed to BreakingAC.
Days-Chapman's case also is a question mark, although it is much different than the Smalls'.
She is accused of several counts of official misconduct for allegedly failing to report the teen's allegations against her parents.
As a mandated reporter, the validity of the claims is not considered.
Days-Chapman does not yet have a trial date.
Neither woman's attorney could immediately be reached for comment following the verdict.
For his part, Marty Small said he would not comment on other cases, but that all three have been dragged through the mud by what he claims was a politically motivated attack on him.
Days-Chapman is a family friend and Mayor Small's longtime campaign manager.
"Today's verdict, while disappointing, is what America's all about," Reynolds said, adding that "we respectfully disagree with the jury."
He said that his office gave the victim a voice, but that the jury chose not to believe that voice.
It is not clear if the teen would agree to testify again under the circumstances.
She turns 18 next month, and has not been living in her parents' home since before they were indicted.
