A federal judge has denied a new trial for eight Clay County residents convicted this year in a vote-buying conspiracy.

The eight argued that a change in the law based on a U.S. Supreme Court decision required that they be acquitted or get a new trial.

However, U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves ruled the Supreme Court decision did not negate the entire case against the eight.

Jurors heard evidence of hundreds, if not thousands, of acts of vote-buying in the trial, Reeves said.

Reeves scheduled sentencing for the eight in March.

They are former Circuit Judge R. Cletus Maricle; former schools Superintendent Doug Adams; former county Clerk Freddy W. Thompson; former Magistrate Stanley Bowlin; Clarence Wayne Jones; William Stivers; and Bart and Debra Morris.