WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ Prosecutors are asking a federal appeals court to allow them to present evidence linking a Wichita-area pain clinic to 59 overdose deaths.

At issue is a federal judge's ruling limiting the case against Dr. Stephen Schneider and his wife, Linda, to four deaths.

A three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in the case on Wednesday. The couple was arrested in December 2007 on a 34-count indictment alleging they wrongfully prescribed drugs and overbilled for medical services.

In setting the limits, U.S. District Judge Monti Belot said the trial would go on forever with no useful purpose if every death were included.

The court panel also will hear an appeal from defense attorneys regarding some of the government's witnesses.

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