An appeals court is offering no relief to an elderly Panama City doctor who specialized in pain management. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta has affirmed the conviction and 20 year sentence of Dr. John Durfey.

The 76 year old Durfey was sent to prison for distributing drugs such as oxycodone, morphine, and methadone to "doctor shopping" patients without determining if they really needed them.

Two patients died of overdoses. The three judge panel said an independent review of the case showed no merit in Durfeys appeal.

The judges also allowed attorney Chris Patterson to withdraw from the case.