SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- A jury has been deliberating almost eight hours in the trial of a Springfield man accused of abusing his adoptive children.

James Ferguson is facing 30 charges and the jury must look at each one. As a result, the deliberations are taking some time.

Judge Richard O’Neill told the jury, “Consult with one another, consider each other’s views and deliberate with the objective of reaching an agreement.”

For almost a week, the jury has heard horrifying testimony from Ferguson’s five adopted children.

The children described bloody beatings with belts and hammers, being forced to eat excrement and being forced to stand against a wall for hours, while the family lived in Springfield and then in Marysville.

Prosecutors said the children were tortured and abused. The defense said James Ferguson never abused the children, and used reasonable discipline.

Judge O’Neill said, "It is not necessary for the defendant to take the witness stand in his own defense. The fact that he has not testified must not be considered."

Ferguson was charged with 30 counts of endangering children, permitting child abuse and felonious assault.

News Center 7 has been told that deliberations could continue until 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Stay tuned to News Center 7 and whiotv.com for the latest in this developing story.