guest found guilty of second-degree murder

? A man was convicted Tuesday of killing his ex-wife hours after they and another woman were featured on a “Jerry Springer Show” episode.

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 in 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 sentenced in May.

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 Panitz 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 ridiculed by Eleanor Panitz.

Prosecutors capped the 11-day trial by telling jurors Panitz toyed with his ex-wife’s affections but became infuriated when she stood up to him by having a judge oust him from a home they had shared.