A jury acquitted Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. on all counts in his child abuse trial Thursday. Small has been on trial, accused of physically beating and emotionally abusing his teenage daughter and asking her to lie about it.

The jury had been deliberating since Tuesday inside the Atlantic County courthouse.

As soon as that verdict was read aloud, Small shouted, "Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, jury." The mayor has had the backing of other city leaders, as well as about 30 to 40 close friends, in court every day of the trial. He called this case nonsense and said this is a win for everyone.

Surrounded by dozens of supporters, Small was all smiles outside the courthouse Thursday.

"I got a couple of words, Merry Christmas, Atlantic City," Small said. "I'm not an abusive man. I never have and I never will."

The 51-year-old mayor, who was re-elected last month, has been on trial since last week. He was accused of several incidents of beating his now 17-year-old daughter, including once hitting her with a broom and knocking her unconscious. The tension came when she began dating a new boyfriend.

The teen took the stand against her father, who was also accused of asking his daughter to lie about what happened.

Small then testified in his own defense, denying those allegations.

On Thursday morning, jurors asked to re-listen to Small's testimony about the broom incident. A short time later, they came back with a not guilty verdict.

"It's absolute proof that our justice system works, it's absolute proof that honest men like Marty Small are vindicated," Louis Barbone, the mayor's attorney, said.

"There's a lot of political forces out here that are against the leadership of my wife and I," Small said, "but guess what, the people of Atlantic City want us, the people of Atlantic City need us."

La'Quetta Small, the mayor's wife and the superintendent of Atlantic City public schools, is facing charges and has a separate trial set for next month. She also pleaded not guilty.

Atlantic City Prosecutor William Reynolds called the verdict in the mayor's case disappointing. Reynolds also said it could impact the superintendent's case, and his office will decide whether they'll proceed in her case after the holidays in early January.

"There is no decision made yet on whether that case will proceed or not proceed," Atlantic City Prosecutor William Reynolds said. "It's simply going to be an internal meeting and a victim meeting, and then we will go on to evaluate if charges proceed or not."

As for the mayor, he said he will be back in City Hall on Friday and will work to rebuild his family and repair his relationship with his daughter.