Paul Flores was sentenced Friday to 25 years to life in prison for the 1996 murder of California student Kristin Smart.
He is not eligible for probation.
He will be eligible for a parole board hearing in 15 years, by which time the board could grant or deny parole, prosecutors say.
A jury convicted Paul Flores in October of first-degree murder. The Earl alleged that he “maliciously premeditated the murder[ed] Kristin Smart” while she was “engaged in the commission or attempted commission of the crime of rape”.
Prior to sentencing, the judge denied two defense motions seeking a new trial and the dismissal of charges and acquittal in the case.
Paul Flores, 46, a former classmate of Smart’s, has been charged with murder, while his father has been charged as an accessory to the crime. Prosecutors say he helped hide Smart’s body on his property in Arroyo Grande before moving it in 2020.
Her father, Ruben Flores, was found not guilty of being an accessory to murder in connection with the crime.
MORE: Kristin Smart murder trial: Paul Flores found guilty 26 years after she disappeared
Smart disappeared on his way home from a party at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. His body was never found, but authorities arrested Paul and Ruben Flores in April 2021 and found alleged evidence related to Smart’s murder in their homes.
A judge ordered that the Flores trials be moved out of San Luis Obispo County more than 100 miles — north of Monterey County — to ensure fair court proceedings.
Paul and Ruben Flores were tried at the same time, but with separate juries who heard the case together over 11 weeks of testimony.
“Today, our criminal and victim justice system finally brought justice to Kristin Smart, the Smart family and our San Luis Obispo County community,” said San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow. , in a statement after sentencing. “We thank the Smart family and our community for the immense trust and patience they have placed in the investigation and prosecution of this terrible crime.”
“We recognize the jury for their focused attention to the evidence and the Sheriff’s Office for their tireless efforts in building this case,” the statement continued. “Today, justice delayed is not justice denied.”
Smart’s parents, who witnessed the sentencing, later expressed mixed emotions.
“Today is not really a day of joy, it is a day of relief that Kristin’s voice was heard,” Denise Smart told reporters. “It brings us a sense of peace, knowing that there will be no more casualties.”
Stan Smart said they had no closure because they did not know where their daughter’s remains were.
“We are not happy because we don’t have our daughter,” he told reporters. “As the judge pointed out, it’s a penalty, but it doesn’t bring your loved one back.”
Stan Smart added that he knew local authorities would continue to search for his remains.
“We want to remind the community that this case isn’t over yet. And it won’t be over until Kristin is returned to her family,” San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said. , in a statement, calling the sentence “long”. to come” but who is “straight and just”.
MORE: Juror in Kristin Smart case excused after speaking to priest
Dow had thanked a true crime podcaster after the jury returned a guilty verdict at trial. Chris Lambert launched the “Your Own Backyard” series in 2019, chronicling Smart’s disappearance, which rekindled public interest in the case. The podcast helped identify additional witnesses and evidence that were “critical to the prosecution of this case,” Dow said.
Lambert remarked to reporters that he was 8 years old when Smart went missing and that this case “has been my whole life.”
“I just didn’t expect all of this to happen step by step,” Lambert said. “Today is obviously the best possible result, unless we find Kristin.”
ABC News’ Dea Athon and Jennifer Watts contributed to this report.
Paul Flores sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder of Kristin Smart originally appeared on abcnews.go.com