3:00pm | A 50-year old Long Beach man received a life sentence today after being found guilty of a 22-year old cold case for the torture and murder of a longtime friend, according to the Los Angeles Times [LAT].

Paul Gentile Smith originally pleaded not guilty to charges that he killed 29-year old Robert Haugen in 1988, but during sentencing for his conviction also pleaded guilty to charges that he attempted to have the lead detective in his case assaulted.

Smith was connected to the Sunset Beach murder in 2009 by DNA evidence. From Times’ reporter Robert Faturechi:

During his trial, Smith denied killing his friend. He said his blood was found inside the victim’s apartment because he had been buying drugs from the man the night before the slaying and had nicked himself with a small knife while cutting marijuana, district attorney officials said in a statement.

Smith will not be eligible for parole and his 47-year old girlfriend has pleased guilty to felony conspiracy to commit aggravated assault stemming from the attempt to assault a witness and lead detective in Smith’s murder case.