Updated

BOSTON (AP) — Three men convicted of helping a New Hampshire couple escape capture on tax evasion charges have taken their case to a federal appeals court.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Wednesday in appeals brought by supporters of Ed and Elaine Brown, of Plainfield, N.H.

After being charged, the Browns refused to turn themselves in and remained holed up for months in an armed standoff at their home. They were arrested in October 2007 by U.S. marshals posing as supporters.

Jason Gerhard, of Brookhaven, N.Y., Daniel Riley, of Cohoes, N.Y., and Cirino Gonzalez, of Alice, Texas, are appealing their convictions for conspiring to prevent marshals from arresting the Browns.

Lawyers for the men argued they were charged excessively by prosecutors.

The court did not immediately rule.