FRANKFORT — Jurors in the case of eight Clay County residents charged with conspiring to buy votes deliberated for about six hours Wednesday, but did not reach a decision.

The jury is scheduled to return Thursday to continue discussing a verdict.

Prosecutors argued that the eight took part in a well-organized scheme to buy votes in 2002, 2004 and 2006, but defense attorneys argued that witnesses against the eight were suspect.

This is the seventh week of the trial, so jurors have a great deal of testimony, arguments and exhibits to consider.

Those on trial are former Circuit Judge R. Cletus Maricle; former school Superintendent Douglas C. Adams; county Clerk Freddy W. Thompson; Magistrate Stanley Bowling; Charles Wayne Jones, a former county Democratic election commissioner; William Stivers, a former precinct worker; and William Bart Morris and his wife Debi Morris.