A former Montana pain doctor who was convicted of overprescribing opioids which lead to the deaths of two of his patients will remain out of prison while he appeals his case.

69-year-old Chris Christensen posted bail on Tuesday. His attorney filed notice of the appeal to the Montana Supreme Court the same day. A jury convicted the former doctor last year of over 20 felonies, including two counts of negligent homicide in the deaths of two people.

Christensen was sentenced in February to 20 years in prison and 10 years suspended.
The Judge Jeffrey Langton also stayed the sentence until Christensen's appeal is resolved. The judge give him until Tuesday to post $200,000 cash bail or raise a non-refundable $20,000 to cover a bond.

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