Overview
- Deliberations continued Wednesday as jurors requested to rehear a recording in which Small threatened to "earth slam" his daughter and asked for dates tied to texts found on her phone.
- Jurors also asked the judge to clarify legal definitions of simple and aggravated assault, corporal punishment, and willful neglect, indicating close review of the counts.
- Prosecutors emphasized photos of bruises, a nurse’s diagnosis of a head injury, and a pediatrician’s opinion that the injuries were nonaccidental, along with recordings of family conflicts.
- The defense argued the allegations are false, highlighted statements the teen allegedly recanted, pointed to a lack of confirmed concussion, and called the case an extortion attempt, with more than 40 character witnesses backing Small.
- Small faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, and witness tampering; a conviction would force him from office, while related cases against his wife and the high school principal remain pending.