ATLANTIC CITY — More than a month after jury selection began in the trial of an Atlantic City councilman accused of voter fraud, a jury has been seated. Opening statements in the trial of Councilman Marty Small are expected to begin Tuesday afternoon. Small is one of a dozen defendants accused of trying to swing the June 2009 Democratic...
In this photo taken May 12 2009, Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small in Atlantic City, NJ. ATLANTIC CITY — More than a month after jury selection began in the trial of an Atlantic City councilman accused of voter fraud, a jury has been seated.
Opening statements in the trial of Councilman Marty Small are expected to begin Tuesday afternoon.
Small is one of a dozen defendants accused of trying to swing the June 2009 Democratic mayoral primary through fraudulent absentee ballots.
Prosecutors allege that at the direction of Small and others, conspirators held an "autograph party" in which sealed ballots were steamed open, checked to make sure they were votes for Small, then resealed and submitted to election authorities. Prosecutors say some ballots for the other two candidates in the race were destroyed.
Small has denied any wrongdoing.
Previous coverage:
• Ballot fraud trial of Atlantic City councilman on hold as 2 weeks pass without a juror being chosen
• Atlantic City councilman's lawyer says grand jury testimony should be suppressed
• Jury selection in voter fraud trial of former Atlantic City councilman Marty Small begins
• Former mayoral candidate turns down plea deal in alleged Atlantic City ballot fraud