EKB News

U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves has dismissed part of a conviction against former Clay County  election commissioner Charles Wayne Jones who was found guilty in a vote-buying case. Reeves

found Wednesday there was insufficient evidence that Jones' attempts to get money from a candidate were based on an agreement for him to use his official position to help the candidate. Jones, who is a Democrat, and seven other Clay County residents were convicted in March of conspiring to buy or steal votes in the 2002, 2004 and 2006 local elections. The count that was dismissed alleged that Jones and former election officer William Stivers tried to extort $1,000 from a candidate for city council in 2006 to use to buy votes. Reeves earlier dismissed the count against Stivers. Jones' other convictions in the case still stand. None of the defendants, all of whom are fighting convictions, have been sentenced.