Still Missing CA - Kristin Smart, 19, San Luis Obispo, 25 May 1996 *arrests* #3

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I've been following this disturbing & tragic KS case since late 2020, when I first listened to the superb CL podcast. I've also been following this current trial. Some of my latest thoughts - in no particular order:

-It's extremely unfortunate that this case wasn't solved back in 1996. I'm convinced that it could have been solved ATT. All of the pieces were there, they just needed to be put together. I definitely feel that a lot of people dropped the ball during the initial investigation. Note that this was never a "who did it?!" situation, as a lot of missing persons cases obviously are. I.e., it wasn't just that PF was the last person to be seen with KS. There were a lot of other pieces of circumstantial evidence that pointed directly to him - back in 1996.

-That being said, no matter the outcome of this trial - it's fantastic that it's happening at all. CL's podcast & the current trial have elevated this case from a crime that mainly locals in the area were area of - to something that has gotten international attention & interest. Truly amazing & impressive, especially given that most crimes like this never get this type of press/attention.

-I'm convinced that PF put something in KS's drink (at the party) to knock her out - hence her being so sick/unsteady on her feet during/after the party. I.e., I don't think this was a result of her just drinking the alcohol that was available there - given that no one else at the party seemed to have this type of reaction. Also, given that KS was tall - she would probably have had a higher tolerance to alcohol than someone who was of average height/short...even if she wasn't a habitual drinker. In any case, too bad that PF drugging her can't be proven.

-Re: PF's black eye, it seems obvious that this was connected to the crime - given that he gave 4-5 different/conflicting reasons why it occurred; i.e., if it wasn't connected to the crime, why lie about this?! However, I'm not convinced that it occurred during a possible fight/struggle with KS. It's also possible RF hit him & gave him the black eye - after he realized what PF had done.
 
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To add to my last post:

-The cadaver dog testimony was convincing to me, but I'm not sure how most others felt/feel about this.

-I find it extremely significant that the F. family have stayed in the same homes & the same area(s) since KS's disappearance in 1996. I.e., from all accounts it seems that they're treated with animosity/distrust/etc. when they go out in public due to their obvious connection to the crime - and this has apparently been going on for years. It's obvious that most people in their situation would have sold the houses & moved away long ago. Why put themselves through this unnecessary grief/hassle?! It's obvious they could have gotten a lot of $ for these homes. I.e., they could easily have sold them & gotten even an even nicer house/houses in another area/state where the real estate was lower - and probably had $ left over. Going along with this, it's evident that before CL's podcast the case wasn't nearly as well known - outside of the local area. So, they could certainly have moved somewhere (where not many/any had heard about the case) & started new lives, etc.

However, it's obvious why they've stayed in the houses all of this time & have never left. It was because they didn't want the authorities to come & dig anything up.

I hope this is brought up by the prosecution at the trial, but I'm not sure if it will be - given that it's not hard evidence.
 
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Wednesday, August 24th:
*Trial continues (Day 15) (@ 8:30am 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; legally declared dead on May 25, 2002) – *Paul Ruben Flores (19 @ time of crime/44/now 45) arrested (4/13/21), charged (4/14/21) & arraigned (10/20/21) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond.
*Ruben Ricardo Flores (55 @ time of crime/80/now 81) arrested (4/13/21), charged (4/14/21) & arraigned (10/20/21) 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.
Trial began on 7/18/22 with opening statements for Paul in am & Ruben in pm (which was continued on 7/21/22).
Paul’s attorney Robert Sanger & Ruben’s is Harold V. Mesick. Prosecutor is Christopher Peuvrelle. Judge Jennifer O’Keefe presiding.
Judge O’Keefe has blocked defense attorney Sanger from suggesting someone else killed Smart unless he can provide evidence of direct involvement.
Trial has been moved from San Luis Obispo County to Monterey County in Salinas. For 2 juries each: 12 jurors & 8 alternates; Paul’s: 8 men & 12 women & Ruben’s: 9 men & 10 women (still waiting for correction). 8/4/22: Another juror from Ruben's jury is out this morning & an alternate was sworn in to replace them. So now the count is correct at 19. 8/10/22: Sick juror did not return, alternate sworn in. Paul’s: 7 men & 12 women & Ruben’s: 9 men & 10 women. (a guess on genders).
Case & court info from 5/17/21 thru Final Jury Selection Day 1-2 (7/11 & 7/12/22 for Ruben) & 7/14 thru 7/19/22 & Trial Day 1-4 (7/18, 7/21-7/25/22) & 7/26/22 & Trial Day 5-9 (8/1 to 8/8/22), (no court on 8/9/22) & Trial Day 10-13 (8/10-8/15/22) reference post #841 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...s-obispo-25-may-1996-arrests-3.588288/page-43
8/16/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 14: State witnesses: Adele Morris, a professional dog handler who specialized in Human Remains Detection since 1986 is back on stand for cross-examination. Wayne Behrens (or Bahrons), certified dog handler for 31 years.
For more info see posts #843 to 851 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...s-obispo-25-may-1996-arrests-3.588288/page-43
Judge O'Keefe announced that the rest of week will be dark & trial will resume on 8/24/22.
 
Pitsleuth said:
To clarify- I fully believe both are guilty as sin. I was just curious how people think the trial is going/ how persuasive the prosecution has been so far.
Click to expand...
Trial seems to be going well so far. The prosecution is prepared and professional. I'll be celebrating when these monsters are found guilty MOO. Kristen's remains still need to be found, without them there will never be closure for her loved ones. MOO
 
Emi said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1562336532647669760
Click to expand...
After hearing the latest recap evidence, I’m even more impressed with the strength of the cadaver dog evidence. Two different trained cadaver dogs with two different owners, on two different days, immediately alerted to the doorway of Paul Flores’s dorm room. Both dogs alerted to the area around his bed when they were granted access inside his dorm room, and his room is the ONLY dorm room they showed any interest. Also, one of the dogs had successfully located numerous deceased persons in the past.

That was really significant and powerful testimony, IMO.

Edited to correct grammatical issues and an omitted word. :)
 
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Thursday, August 25th:
*Trial continues (Day 16) (@ 8:30am 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; legally declared dead on May 25, 2002) – *Paul Ruben Flores (19 @ time of crime/44/now 45) arrested (4/13/21), charged (4/14/21) & arraigned (10/20/21) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond.
*Ruben Ricardo Flores (55 @ time of crime/80/now 81) arrested (4/13/21), charged (4/14/21) & arraigned (10/20/21) 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.
Trial began on 7/18/22 with opening statements for Paul in am & Ruben in pm (which was continued on 7/21/22).
Paul’s attorney Robert Sanger & Ruben’s is Harold V. Mesick. Prosecutor is Christopher Peuvrelle. Judge Jennifer O’Keefe presiding.
Judge O’Keefe has blocked defense attorney Sanger from suggesting someone else killed Smart unless he can provide evidence of direct involvement.
Trial has been moved from San Luis Obispo County to Monterey County in Salinas. For 2 juries each: 12 jurors & 8 alternates; Paul’s: 8 men & 12 women & Ruben’s: 9 men & 10 women (still waiting for correction). 8/4/22: Another juror from Ruben's jury is out this morning & an alternate was sworn in to replace them. So now the count is correct at 19. 8/10/22: Sick juror did not return, alternate sworn in. Paul’s: 7 men & 12 women & Ruben’s: 9 men & 10 women. (a guess on genders).
Case & court info from 5/17/21 thru Final Jury Selection Day 1-2 (7/11 & 7/12/22 for Ruben) & 7/14 thru 7/19/22 & Trial Day 1-4 (7/18, 7/21-7/25/22) & 7/26/22 & Trial Day 5-9 (8/1 to 8/8/22), (no court on 8/9/22) & Trial Day 10-14 (8/10-8/16/22) reference post #863 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...s-obispo-25-may-1996-arrests-3.588288/page-44
8/24/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 15: State witnesses: Rhonda Doe, sexually assaulted by Paul in January, 2008. No other info available.
For more info see posts #865 to 874 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...s-obispo-25-may-1996-arrests-3.588288/page-44
Trial continues on 8/25/22.
 
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