Man sentenced to over 90 years in Fowler murder case

Rhett Martin has been sentenced to 92 years in prison Thursday.

The sentencing comes after testimony trials back in October.

The murder of daniel riegle.

Last december, riegle was found shot to death in his fowler home, which had also been set on fire.

News 18's anna darling was in the courtroom for the sentencing hearing.

What you see behind me is an empty lot.

But almost one year ago, this is where dan riegle called home.

It was this home that firefighters responded to in the morning hours of december 6th, 2019.

Only to find the body of riegle inside.

In the words of judge kepner, it was this home and this man that rhett martin stalked as he spent several days calculating and planning the murder.

After four long days and dozens of testimony in october, a jury here in benton county found rhett martin guilty on all four of his charges.

Only one character witness testified for dan riegle.

His sister, sharon hiatt, said her brother suffered from social anxiety and found darkness on the internet.

He admitted to planting cameras in his daughter in law's bathroom.

But she said through counseling, he found healthy hobbies and that he chose to find the light.

Several of riegle's family members sat through the entire trial.

Prosecutor john wright said he is thankful the judge was able to give this family closure.

"mr. riegle's family has been very supportive of our office and the state police throughout the entire investigation.

I know they are relieved and pleased with the sentence" the defense tried to argue martin's minimal criminal history and his three years serving in iraq as mitigating factors.

But judge kepner felt if martin were released tomorrow, he would be a danger to the community.

And would only use this experience as way to become smarter and more calculated in executing crimes.

Martin currently has three pending criminal charges in two counties.

One is in tippecanoe county for theft of a firearm.

And two are in newton county.

One for performing sexual conduct in front of a minor.

And a second for stalking.

Reporting from fowler, ad 18