HARRISBURG — The presiding judge in the trial of the former No. 2 ranking state House Democrat said Wednesday he would not impose time limits on the prosecution or restrict how many witnesses will be called.

Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis said he probably lacked such authority and he was slightly encouraged by the day's faster pace, in which prosecutors called to the stand three new witnesses in the theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest trial of former Rep. Mike Veon and three of his ex-aides. Lewis had considered the limits as a means of shortening the trial, currently in its fourth week of testimony.

Prosecutors told Lewis they have about a dozen witnesses remaining, plus some investigators, and were hopeful they could wrap up by March 5.

"What we hope's going to happen and what actually plays out in a courtroom, as (has) been demonstrated for almost four weeks now, it doesn't always work out that way," Senior Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo told reporters. "So we'll see how interested the defense is in getting to the end of our case by what they do on cross."

The defendants are entitled to put on their own case, and an unresolved question is whether they will be allowed to call dozens of witnesses they have subpoenaed, including current and former state representatives and senators.

On Wednesday, jurors heard from three more House Democratic employees who worked for Veon before the Beaver County lawmaker lost re-election in 2006.