Paul Flores and Kristin Smart Update
This week, we’ve been flooded with news regarding the case of missing California student Kristin Smart. Paul Flores has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and the traces of human blood found in Smart’s body were determined to be not hers. A vigil is being held in her honor. And her family hasn’t given up. The case will be tried in Monterey County, California.
Paul Flores pleads not guilty to murder
After more than two decades of searching for her killer, Paul Flores has pleaded not guilty to murdering his ex-girlfriend, Kristen Smart. The pair were arrested in April 2021. Smart was last seen alive after a party on May 24, 1996, and Paul Flores was the last person to see her alive. In court, prosecutors said Flores and Smart were sexually involved and Flores had killed Smart during the rape.
Earlier in the day, Paul Flores and Ruben was arraigned for the crimes of killing the college student. At his first arraignment, Flores pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and was ordered held without bail pending trial. Prosecutors have said that Flores lied to police, tried to cover up the murder, and falsely denied a physical attraction to Smart.
After the preliminary hearing, the prosecution presented evidence that would support Paul Flores’ alleged crimes. But, prosecutors plan to use digital evidence, including pictures of Kristen Smart, to prove that Flores was not guilty of the crimes. In addition, the prosecution plans to admit evidence about Flores’ prior sexual acts, including incidents described in previous police reports. The defendants’ parents and siblings have filed a civil lawsuit against Paul Flores, which has been on hold since 2003.
The prosecution says it has enough evidence to charge Paul Flores with the crime, but they must prove probable cause to prosecute. As the case has been ongoing for nearly two decades, the prosecution will have to show that the crime took place 25 years ago. However, Sanger argues that there is no consistent theory of where the body is. The prosecution is preparing to admit evidence of other alleged sexual acts by Paul.
The case is likely to take several years. If the two defendants are found guilty of the crime, they will face up to twenty years in prison. Paul Flores and Ruben Flores have no bail. Their trial is scheduled for April 25. The next step is determining their bail. The Flores’ father, Ruben, has been charged as an accessory after the fact.
traces of human blood found in kristin smart’s body
New biological evidence has come to light concerning the missing California woman’s case. A search of the dirt beneath the deck of Paul Flores’ Arroyo Grande home revealed a stain similar to human blood. According to a forensic witness, Bluestar, a chemical used to detect human blood and other substances that may be a cleaning agent, was also found in Smart’s body.
Paul Flores was the last person to see the intoxicated Smart. They had just walked home from a party and Paul Flores was with Smart when she went missing. Paul Flores, Smart’s roommate, is accused of killing the 19-year-old coed in his dorm room. Flores’ father, Ruben Flores, was charged as an accessory after the fact.
According to a report by NewsChannel 3-12, Paul Flores and Ruben Flores are charged with the murder of Kristin Smart in 1996. The pair hid the remains in an area under Flores’ home and were eventually arrested. Ultimately, prosecutors believe the bodies of Kristin Smart were buried under the Flores’ property.
After the murder, the case remained unsolved for decades. But Smart’s family never gave up on finding the killer. In fact, a popular podcast, Your Own Backyard, chronicled the case. The case remains a mystery, but a new piece of evidence has now been released. The court will now decide whether or not Flores is responsible for Smart’s death.
Paul Flores, the husband of Smart’s father, has been arrested twice in connection with the case. The first time he was arrested, Paul Flores helped the investigators hide Smart’s body under the deck of Ruben Flores’ home. His father, Ruben Flores, was previously arrested on an unrelated weapons charge. He is currently under investigation in two other unrelated sexual assault cases.
Paul Flores and Ruben Flores, who was named as the suspect in the case, have both pleaded not guilty to the charges. They are charged with first-degree murder and accessory to murder. The case will now proceed to a trial. The two have pleaded not guilty in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. The trial will resume on Sept. 20 at 9 a.m.
vigil for kristin smart continues
A vigil for Kristin Smart continues as the investigation continues. Last Thursday, dozens of community members gathered at Santa Rosa Park to light candles in memory of Smart. The Arroyo Grande vigil was even larger, drawing more than 200 people. It shows the community has not forgotten about Smart, whose disappearance 23 years ago still haunts the city. While the murder of Kristin Smart remains a cold case, there is hope that justice will be served.
A candlelight vigil was held in honor of the missing Cal Poly student. Trisha Butcher, a local resident, hosted the event. Speakers included Kristin Smart’s family advocates Carla Clawson Hoffman and Sandee Hunt-Burns. A sign-language interpreter was also on hand to provide translations. And, in keeping with the spirit of the community, the vigil for Kristin Smart continues.
trial will be held in Monterey County
The Flores trial will move to Monterey County after the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge granted the Flores’ request to relocate the case. The Flores brothers, Ruben and Paul, are charged with the 1996 murder and disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. Judge Jennifer O’Keefe will preside over the trial, and San Luis Obispo County Judge Craig van Rooyen will not attend.
The Monterey County Superior Court has a Drug Treatment Court. This court was created to provide specialization and efficiency for drug cases. Drug Treatment Court officers become knowledgeable and experienced in drug cases and practice firm oversight over each case. Drug offenders are often eligible for Deferred Entry of Judgment. This diversion option is usually offered to first-time drug offenders. It is an alternative to jail and is administered by Monterey County’s Probation Department.
The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge has granted the Flores’ request to move the murder trial from San Luis Obispo to Monterey County. Judge Jennifer O’Keefe, who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, will preside over the case. The case is scheduled to begin May 31. The defendant is accused of killing Smart in May 1996. Paul Fores’ father is charged as an accessory to the crime.
The case involves an unsolved mystery that has plagued the community for more than 25 years. Smart was last seen on May 25, 1996 with Flores, who helped the drunken Smart back to his dorm. He then allegedly killed the victim in his dorm room. In addition to Paul Flores, his father is accused of disposing of Smart’s body. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
