An Arroyo Grande man was sentenced Tuesday to 56 years to life in prison for the 2018 murder of Kristen Marti.
The 26-year-old San Luis Obispo woman was reported missing in 2018 and weeks later, found dead along Prefumo Canyon Road outside San Luis Obispo.
Last July, a jury convicted Robert Koehler of Marti’s murder.
During closing arguments, the prosecution argued Koehler, now 40, not only brutally murdered Marti and dumped her body in a creek, but also planned it.
In court Tuesday, Koehler's attorney motioned for a new trial but was denied.
Attorney Trace Milan spent an hour and a half going over a list of 11 reasons why he believes his client did not receive a fair trial.
At times, Judge Jesse Marino looked visibly frustrated, interrupting Milan at one point, stating, “We cannot relive the whole trial.”
When Milan concluded, the judge said it was not enough to grant a new trial and that there was no new evidence presented.
Several members of Marti's family spoke during the sentencing hearing, sharing how her murder has inflicted pain on the entire family.
Judge Marino encouraged the family to lean on each other for support.
Koehler received the maximum sentence.
He has 60 days to appeal.
A restitution hearing is scheduled for March 14.
