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Judge Won’t Dismiss Homicide Counts Against Montana Doctor

Chris Christensen also faces 389 counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs

By Associated Press

MISSOULA— A Montana judge has refused to drop charges of negligent homicide against a physician accused of prescribing narcotics without checking patients’ medical history.

The Missoulian reports the judge on Wednesday rejected defense arguments that prosecutors failed to show probable cause to believe Chris Christensen’s decision to prescribe methadone caused the death of two patients.

The 69-year-old doctor also faces 389 counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and nine counts of criminal endangerment. The judge rejected a defense motion to drop those counts as well.

Christensen was arrested in August 2015 after a year-long investigation that included a raid on his clinic in Florence.

His trial is scheduled for October.