Paul Flores, who is convicted of killing Kristin Smart, was sentenced Friday to 25 years to life in prison.

Monterey County Superior Court Judge Jennifer O’Keefe rejected motions to toss out Flores’ first-degree murder conviction and acquit him. Smart, who was 19 years old, disappeared from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in 1996. Her remains have not been found. However, she was declared legally dead in 2002.

O’Keefe on Friday called Flores ‘a cancer to society’. He must also register as a sex offender for life.

Paul Flores parents: Who is father Ruben Flores and mother Susan Flores?

Paul Flores’ father Ruben was tried for his involvement in Smart’s death. A second jury charged him as an accessory to the crime.

Ruben was 81 years old last October.

Deputy Dist. Attorney Chris Peuvrelle at the time told jurors that Ruben Flores helped his son hide Smart’s remains under his deck in Arroyo Grande. Paul is accused of killing the college student in May 1996 inside his dorm.

“He knew the one person who would help with a dead girl on his bed was his father,” the prosecutor said. “It was his version of a 911 call.”

“Ruben Flores has been helping him for the last 26 years,” the prosecutor added.

An audio conversation between Paul Flores and his mother, Susan, from January 26, 2020 was played during the trial. The 45-year-old’s mother could be heard telling him to start listening to the “Your Own Backyard” podcast so they could start “punching holes in it.”

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow after Friday’s sentencing said that justice had been finally served.

“After nearly 27 years of unspeakable anguish, the Smart family has finally seen their daughter’s killer sentenced,” the statement said. “Their strength and determination serve as an inspiration to us all.”