Former ‘Springer’ Show Guest Guilty in Murder
A man was convicted in Sarasota of killing his former 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. He could face up to life in prison when he is sentenced in May.
Sarasota County prosecutor Charlie Roberts had told jurors Panitz brutally beat and killed Campbell-Panitz because he was angry she had won a court order to kick him out of her house.
Defense attorney Geoffrey Fieger had claimed prosecutors accused the wrong man of murder.
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