(10/17/06) MINEOLA - The jury in the Meadowbrook Parkway wrong-way trial found Martin Heidgen guilty of the charge of second-degree murder Tuesday.

Heidgen, 25, could now serve 25 years to life in prison. While victims? family members cheered, some jurors wept as they were polled by the judge. Heidgen and his attorney showed little reaction to the guilty verdict.

Prosecutors argued Heidgen acted with depraved indifference when he drove drunk on the wrong side of the parkway in July 2005, killing limo driver Stanley Rabinowitz, 62, and 7-year-old Katie Flynn.

Deliberating since last week, the jury had great difficulty forming consensus. On Monday, the judge sequestered the group as they maintained a split would prevent them from making a decision. Lesser charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide were also considered.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 20.