Associated Press

SARASOTA, Fla. — A man was convicted Tuesday of killing his ex-wife hours after they and another woman were featured on a "Jerry Springer Show" episode about secret mistresses.

Ralf Panitz, 42, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the July 2000 slaying of Nancy Campbell-Panitz, 52. Jurors, who deliberated for 18 hours over two days, also convicted him of violating a domestic violence order in connection with the killing.

Panitz could face up to life in prison when he is sentenced in May.

Prosecutors said Campbell-Panitz was stomped to death after being choked. The defense argued she died from a heart attack suffered during a fight with someone, but not Ralf Panitz.

Defense attorney Geoffrey Fieger claimed prosecutors accused the wrong man in her murder.

Campbell-Panitz was slain July 24, 2000, just hours after the airing of a taped episode of the Springer show featuring her being confronted by her ex-husband and his current wife, Eleanor.

Campbell-Panitz and Panitz divorced in 1999, had frequent run-ins and filed requests for injunctions against each other. Ralf and Eleanor Panitz married in March 2000, and it was two months later that the trio appeared on the Springer episode headlined "Secret Mistresses Confronted."

During the show, Panitz surprised his ex-wife with news he had remarried. Campbell-Panitz stormed off the stage as she was being ridiculed by Eleanor Panitz.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.