James Arthur Ray, the self-help author and motivational speaker who was sentenced to two years in prison for three counts of negligent homicide following a lengthy trial in Camp Verde, is appealing his conviction.

The move comes as no surprise, as Ray’s attorneys announced they planned to file an appeal almost immediately following Ray’s Nov. 18 sentencing at the Yavapai County Superior Courthouse in Prescott.

Ray, 53, was convicted earlier this summer for three counts of negligent homicide in the October 2009 deaths of Lizbeth Neuman, 49, of Minnesota, Kirby Brown, 38, of New York and James Shore, 40, of Wisconsin, who died after participating in a sweat lodge ceremony held a large tentlike structure that was heated to high temperatures with water poured on hot rocks.

The ceremony came at the end of a weeklong Spiritual Warrior event, a $10,000-a-head seminar hosted by Ray’s company, James Ray International, at the Angel Valley Retreat Center near Sedona.

Throughout the trial, Ray’s attorneys consistently tried to paint a picture of prosecutorial misconduct, something likely to be brought up again on appeal.

According to the appeals notice filed with the court Dec. 5, Ray is also seeking restitution of more than $57,000 along with a refund for a $20,000 fine which also carried an 84 percent surcharge attached by the court system.

Ray has also faced and continues to face other legal battles in civil court, where he settled with families of the victims for more than $3 million, paid out through his insurance.

Ray is being held by the Arizona Department of Corrections with an expected released date of October 2013.

His appeal will now be referred to the Arizona Court of Appeals.