Still Missing CA - Kristin Smart, 19, San Luis Obispo, 25 May 1996 *arrests* #2

[Niner]

Flores could face 2 LA rape charges in Kristin Smart case

July 11, 2021

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office is moving to add two charges of rape of an intoxicated person in its case against Paul Flores, charged with the 1996 murder of Kristin Smart. The charges involve women in Los Angeles County. The identities of the women were not made public.
[.....]
During a hearing on Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Craig van Rooyen asked Deputy District Attorney Christopher Peuvrelle to file a brief on his motion to amend the complaint to include the two rape cases. Video evidence shows women who appear intoxicated or unconscious, persons familiar with the case said.

Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Jonathan Tippet, head of the agency’s Robbery-Homicide Division, confirmed the SLO County District Attorney’s Office plans to charge Flores with two rapes he allegedly committed in Los Angeles County, assaults Tippet’s department investigated.
[.....]
During searches of Paul Flores’ home in San Pedro and his parents’ homes Arroyo Grande, investigators gathered evidence, including video recordings of alleged sexual assaults, some of which they said will be used at trial.
[.....]
Judge Van Rooyen plans to hear arguments on the motion to add the rape charges at a July 14 hearing.

A preliminary hearing, expected to last 12 days, is scheduled to begin on July 20. During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors and defense attorneys can present evidence. Judge van Rooyen will decide if there is sufficient evidence to move forward with the case.

 

[Emi]

https://www.ksby.com/news/kristin-s...o-make-first-of-2-court-appearances-this-week

UPDATE: The preliminary hearing for the father and son charged in the death and disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart could last a month.
Another preliminary hearing in the case against Paul and Ruben Flores took place Monday morning via Zoom.
The judge indicated while there will be a one-week break, that hearing could last through Aug. 20.

Note the hearing on Wednesday won't be on zoom per the article above.

 

[Niner]

Party Name Case Number Session Date Time Loc Atty Hearing Description
FLORES, PAUL 21F-02402-A 07/14/2021 01:30 D5 Robert M Sanger Motion

FLORES, RUBEN 21F-02402-B 07/14/2021 01:30 D5 Harold V. Mesick Motion


link: 5day.pdf

 

[Emi]

Prosecutors in Kristin Smart murder case aim to add L.A. rape charges against Paul Flores

Prosecutors will argue a motion Wednesday to amend the murder charge against Flores. They have said he killed Smart, a 19-year-old fellow student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, during the commission of a rape or attempted rape in his dormitory the night she vanished 25 years ago.

Authorities did not spell out the specifics of the new charges in court. But last week, a judge referenced case law in which rape cases were attached to crimes in a different county.

If Flores’ case goes to trial and San Luis Obispo County prosecutors are allowed to present testimony that Flores has preyed on women in the years since Smart disappeared, it could significantly broaden the scope of the trial.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, July 14th:
*Motions Hearing for both (@ 1:30pm PT) - CA - Kristin Denise Smart (19) (missing May 25, 1996 while walking back to her dorm from a off campus frat party at Cal Poly, reported missing on May 26, 1996, San Luis Obispo, still missing) – *Paul Ruben Flores (19 @ time of crime/44) arrested & charged (4/13/21) & arraigned (4/15/21) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond.
*Ruben Ricardo Flores (55 @ time of crime/80) arrested & charged (4/13/21) & arraigned (4/15/21) with accessory to murder after the fact. Plead not guilty. $250K bond. Bond was lower to $50K. Has posted bond (4/22/21), out of jail.
Case info from 5/17/21 to 7/6/21 reference post #599 here:
Still Missing - CA - Kristin Smart, 19, San Luis Obispo, 25 May 1996 *arrests* #2
7/7/21 Update: At a criminal proceeding in April, Judge Craig Van Rooyen issued an order barring the defendants’ attorneys in the case or their agents, law enforcement involved in the case, witnesses & court staff from publicly discussing the case. In civil court, Paul Flores’s attorney sought the same protective order be applied to Arroyo Grande lawyer Jim Murphy, who represents the Smart family & has long been outspoken about Kristin’s disappearance. The Smart family’s civil case against Paul Flores has been suspended since 2003, when a judge ordered a stay. SLO County Superior Court Judge Ginger Garrett DENIED a gag order filed by Paul Flores’s civil attorneys against James Murphy (civil attorney for Kristin Smart’s family). A protective order is in effect for the criminal case which bars SLO Sheriff from talking publicly about the case. Next pre preliminary hearing for both on 7/12/21. During a hearing on Tuesday, 7/7/21, Superior Court Judge Craig van Rooyen asked Deputy DA Christopher Peuvrelle to file a brief on his motion to amend the complaint to include the two rape cases. Video evidence shows women who appear intoxicated or unconscious. L.A. Police Dept. Capt. Jonathan Tippet, head of the agency’s Robbery-Homicide Division, confirmed the SLO County DA’s Office plans to charge Flores with two rapes he allegedly committed in L.A. County, assaults Tippet’s dept. investigated. During searches of Paul Flores’ home in San Pedro & his parents’ homes Arroyo Grande, investigators gathered evidence, including video recordings of alleged sexual assaults, some of which they said will be used at trial. Judge Van Rooyen plans to hear arguments on the motion to add the rape charges at a July 14 hearing. Motions hearing on 7/14/21. Preliminary hearing on 7/20/21 will take place in the courtroom & run for about 12 days.
7/12/21 Update: Pre-Preliminary hearing in the case against Paul & Ruben Flores took place Monday morning via Zoom. Ruben was not in attendance & was represented by his attorney. The defense discussed subpoenas for two witnesses called for the evidence hearing set to begin next Tuesday, July 20. The judge indicated while there will be a one-week break, that hearing could last through Aug. 20. Multiple witnesses are expected to take the stand & discovery in the case revealed. A motion hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday, July 14, at San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. It will be the first time all parties involved in the case appear in person before the judge since the arrests. An amended complaint was filed in court last week by the prosecution. Court officials say the defense has filed opposition to the amendment, but due to the documents being sealed, it’s unclear what in the charging documents has changed.

 

[Emi]

Kristin Smart case: Prosecutors seek to add rape charges against San Pedro man accused of murder

SAN PEDRO, Calif. (CNS) -- San Luis Obispo County prosecutors are seeking to amend their case against the San Pedro resident charged with murdering Kristin Smart in 1996, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

Prosecutors will argue a motion Wednesday to amend the murder charge against Paul Ruben Flores, according to The Times.

 

[Emi]

Megan Healy @MeganHealyTV
Paul and Ruben Flores have 2 court hearings today. Another pre-preliminary and the second to discuss a motion to amend charges against Paul. Neither will be streamed on Zoom.

 

[Emi]

Recent rape charges sought for suspect in Kristin Smart death

Prosecutors are attempting to include additional rape charges in the trial of Paul Flores, the man accused of killing Cal Poly student Kristin Smart in 1996.
...
According to investigators, Paul Flores killed Smart during an attempted sexual assault and his father helped hide the body. Now, San Luis Obispo County prosecutors are hoping to add additional rape charges to the case in an attempt to show Paul Flores has a history of sexual violence against women.

 

[Emi]

Megan Healy [URL='https://twitter.com/MeganHealyTV']@MeganHealyTV [/URL]26m
Sources tell me prosecutors are looking to file rape charges against Paul Flores from cases out of LA in addition to the murder charge in connection to the #KristinSmart case

 

[Emi]

Matt Fountain @MattFountain1 6m
If anyone needs to catch up prior to this afternoon's first in-person court hearing in the #KristinSmart murder case, check out @SLOTribune's updated timeline that summarizes the eight hearings held since April, and other recent developments.



Cal Poly student Kristin Smart went missing 24 years ago. Here’s what’s happened since
Here’s a detailed timeline of Kristin Smart’s disappearance and the investigation into her missing person case.
sanluisobispo.com

Crime Online [URL='https://twitter.com/crimeonlinenews']@crimeonlinenews [/URL]23m
#KristinSmart: Prosecutors Push for Two Rape Charges Against Alleged Cal Poly Student Killer https://crimeonline.com/2021/07/14/kristin-smart-prosecutors-push-for-two-rape-charges-against-alleged-cal-poly-student-killer/… via @crimeonlinenews



[URL='https://t.co/WBven4Cqxc?amp=1']Kristin Smart: Prosecutors Push for Two Rape Charges Against Alleged Cal Poly Student Killer
Prosecutors want to add two sexual assault charges against the man accused of murdering Kristin Smart.
crimeonline.com[/URL]

 

[Emi]

https://www.ksby.com/news/kristin-s...ores-to-make-first-in-person-court-appearance

For the first time since their arrests, Paul and Ruben Flores will appear in person before a judge Wednesday.

Wednesday’s hearing is set for 1:30 p.m.

 

[Emi]

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/crime/article252687603.html

Both men will appear in court with their attorneys Wednesday, marking the first time either defendant had stepped foot into a courtroom.

Paul Flores, a 44-year-old San Pedro resident, had been appearing in court via Zoom from San Luis Obispo County Jail.

Van Rooyen is also expected to hear arguments from attorneys of several people who are challenging their subpoenas to testify during next week’s preliminary hearing.

The hearing, now scheduled to start Tuesday, will be the first time details about the investigation into Smart’s disappearance will be discussed in court testimony.

 

[Emi]

Matt Fountain [URL='https://twitter.com/MattFountain1']@MattFountain1 [/URL]3m
#KristinSmart hearing today: Judge van Rooyen is not allowing the use of electronic devices in the courtroom, so it looks like once media is seated at 1:15 I won’t be able to live tweet or feed info to
@kaytyleslie in the newsroom. Bummer.

 

[Emi]

Kaytlyn Leslie [URL='https://twitter.com/kaytyleslie']@kaytyleslie [/URL]7m
But never fear because we'll have an update to the story as soon as they are out of the hearing!

 

[Emi]

Dave Alley @DaveAlleyTv 2h
The Kristin Smart murder case moves to the inside of a courtroom Wednesday afternoon and no longer will be held virtually. Suspect Paul Flores will appear inside SLO County Superior Court for the first time since his arrest in April. Kristin Smart murder case to move inside courtroom for first time | NewsChannel 3-12

 

[Emi]

Matt Fountain @MattFountain1 1h
Heading into courtroom

Matt Fountain [URL='https://twitter.com/MattFountain1']@MattFountain1 [/URL]1h
Ruben Flores just walked into courthouse lobby.

 

[Emi]

Matt Fountain @MattFountain1 43m
Going back in

Matt Fountain [URL='https://twitter.com/MattFountain1']@MattFountain1 [/URL]43m
Courthouse source tells me they plan to bump the preliminary hearing again. We’ll see

Matt Fountain [URL='https://twitter.com/MattFountain1']@MattFountain1 [/URL]44m
They moved us back outside the courtroom now as the attorneys arrive. Susan Flores, mother of Paul, is waiting out in the hallway with us. She’s here to quash a subpoena for her testimony at the prelim

 

[Emi]

Matt Fountain @MattFountain1 5m
In recess, lots of info, working on an update to our article online. @kaytyleslie will tweet the updated story when it’s ready.

Matt Fountain [URL='https://twitter.com/MattFountain1']@MattFountain1 [/URL]2m
In court, prosecutor motioned to add two counts of rape of an intoxicated person against Paul. Stems from two alleged rapes in LA County.

Matt Fountain [URL='https://twitter.com/MattFountain1']@MattFountain1 [/URL]7m
In recess, lots of info, working on an update to our article online. @kaytyleslie will tweet the updated story when it’s ready.

 

[Emi]

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/topics/kristin-smart-case

 

[Emi]

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/crime/article252687603.html

Update, 3:15 p.m.:

San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Craig van Rooyen on Wednesday ruled to unseal the court records in the Kristin Smart murder case related to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office’s amended complaint.