Julio Gonzalez, the 36-year-old Cuban immigrant charged with setting last year's fatal fire at the Happyland Social Club, has been convicted of all charges -- murder, arson and assault.

The jury deliberated for two and a half days before finding Gonzalez guilty of 174 counts of murder in the 2nd degree, one count of arson in the 1st degree and one count of assault in the 1st degree.

Gonzalez was convicted of one count of "felony" murder and one count of depraved indifference" murder for each of the 87 people killed in the fire.

"I'm sure I speak for the families of the victims in expressing my appreciation to the jury", said Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson. "The tragedy of the Happyland fire hit me like no other case I've ever had to handle, as a defense lawyer, a prosecutor or as a judge".

87 people were killed in the blaze at the club at 1959 Southern Boulevard, in the early morning hours on Sunday, March 25th, 1990.

Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, September 19th, by State Supreme Court Justice Burton Roberts, Bronx County Administrative Judge.

By law, 25 years to life is the maximum sentence that the judge can impose.

DA Johnson called the maximum sentence that is legally available, "inadequate and unjust, given the magnitude of this crime".

He urged the New York State Legislature to pass a bill, now pending in Albany, that would permit judges to impose consecutive sentences for each death, in cases where a single criminal act claims multiple victims.

In the meantime, Johnson said he hopes that the parole board, in the interest of justice, makes sure that Gonzalez remains imprisoned for the rest of his natural life.

"Julio Gonzalez must be made to pay for the incomprehensibly violent outburst that caused this wholesale loss of life", said Johnson.

The defendant, in a video taped confession, admitted that he ignited a dollar's worth of gasoline in front of the only exit from the illegal social club, after an argument with an ex-girlfriend who had the bouncer eject him from Happyland.

The defense had argued that Julio Gonzalez was not responsible for his actions because he had experienced a break with reality. Medical witnesses for the defense said Gonzalez was having a "transient psychotic episode" when he set the Happyland Social Club ablaze.

Assistant District Attorney Eric Warner countered with testimony by a psychiatrist and a neuro-psychologist who concluded that Gonzalez was legally sane and thereby should be held accountable for his actions.

Warner, in his summation, told the jury that Gonzalez had carried out his threat to close the club, "in a calculated and deliberate manner".

"This defendant didn't lose his sanity". said Warner. "He lost his temper and for that he is guilty as charged".

The trial began on Monday, July 8th and lasted six weeks with more that 100 witnesses testifying for the prosecution.

DA Johnson thanked the trial team for its dedication and thoroughness, Eric Warner, Senior Executive Assistant District Attorney, ADA Robert Dreher, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division, and ADA Lisa Loscalzo.

Johnson also acknowledged members of his Crime Victims Unit, Community Affairs Unit and other members of his staff.

"It took a high degree of professionalism, dedication and teamwork to prosecute this case successfully", said Johnson, "and also provide the families of the deceased with the comfort, support and information they've needed to help them get through this phase of their terrible ordeal".