A German man was found guilty yesterday of killing his ex-wife hours after both appeared on television in an episode about secret mistresses on the Jerry Springer talk show, which reveals shocking personal conflicts. Ralf Panitz was convicted of second degree murder in the death of his ex-wife Nancy Campbell on July 24th, 2000 by a jury in Sarasota after two days of deliberations.
|
|
Jerry Springer
|
Campbell, 52, was found beaten to death in her Sarasota home after she, Panitz and Panitz's new wife Eleanor were seen in an episode of
The Jerry Springer Show
- a daily free-for-all in which guests can trade insults or punches.
At the taping in May, 2000 in Chicago, Panitz, 42, and his wife told Campbell they wanted her out of their lives.
But after the program was taped, Panitz and his wife moved into Campbell's home. On the day of her death, Campbell was granted a court order barring the couple from her house.
Prosecutors said Panitz returned to the house that night and killed Campbell. After Campbell's death, Panitz and his wife drove to Maine but then returned to Sarasota where he surrendered to police.
Panitz denied killing Campbell. He testified he got drunk on the day of her death and did not remember anything until the next day.
He will be sentenced in May and could be sent to prison for a term of 20 years to life. His lawyer said he will appeal the verdict.
Jerry Springer, the show's host, has said his program has no responsibility in the murder.
The trial evoked memories of a case a few years ago when a guest on The Jenny Jones Showkilled the man who was revealed as his secret admirer on the popular television program.