Deceased/Not Found CA - Kristin Smart, 19, San Luis Obispo, 5/25/1996 *Guilty* #4

[sleepysleuth]

This is the absolute best news, I hate that Ruben got away with his role in everything, but so happy that Paul Flores will finally pay for the pain he has brought to the Smart family for all of these years.

This was the first (non-local) missing person’s case I ever followed. I read an article about Kristin’s disappearance on the 5-year anniversary and used to post on the Son of Susan site way back when. I can’t believe after all this time, justice has finally prevailed.

I am so grateful for Chris Lambert’s investigative podcast and the renewed interest in this case. I feel strongly that he played a huge role in bringing justice for Kristin. I also think that Dennis Mahon deserves a lot of credit because he dedicated many years of his life to keeping Kristin’s name alive.

So many emotions right now, but mostly just relief and gratitude that this case has finally been resolved and the Smart family can hopefully start healing.

 

[Twister2]

Does anyone have a link to watch the press conference? I can't find it anywhere! I'm referring to the one that is happening right now, 4:00 today, with the Sheriff and the family. I'll find it later on YouTube I assume, just impatient to see it. Thanks!

ETA: I found it on KSBY News and am watching now.

 

[LinasK]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582083742339723264

I couldn't contain myself @Emi, I just had to share!

It's not letting me post, but Paul was just convicted, his father wasn't. He got 25 years.

 

[LinasK]

Does anyone have a link to watch the press conference? I can't find it anywhere!

NBC news reported it

 

[LinasK]

Monday, October 17th:
*Trial continues (Day 39)-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 10:30am 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). State rested their case on 9/20/22. Defense started presenting their case on 9/21/22 & rested their case on 9/27/22. Rebuttal on 9/29/22. Closing arguments begin on 10/3/22 for Paul’s jury & on 10/4/22 for Ruben’s jury.
Paul’s attorney Robert Sanger & Ruben’s is Harold V. Mesick. Prosecutor is Christopher Peuvrelle. Judge Jennifer O’Keefe presiding.
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. 10/13/22: Male juror excused for talking to his priest re case. Now: 8 men & 11 women. (a guess on genders).
Deliberations calculated at 6 ½ hours per day (8:30am to 4:30pm/1 hour for lunch & 2 15 min. breaks). Paul Jury: 10/4/22 Deliberations: ~3pm-4:30pm (1 ½ hours). 10/5/22: ~6 ½ hours; Total: ~8 hours. 10/6/22: ~6 ½ hours. Total ~14 ½ hours. 10/7/22: ~6 ½ hours. Total ~21 hours. Podcast says ~15 hours 30 mins. 10/13/22: 4 hours. 10/14/22: No deliberations. Total: ~19 ½ hours. Ruben Jury: 10/5/22 Deliberations: ~1:45pm-4:30pm (~2 hours 45 mins). 10/6/22: ~6 ½ hours. Total: ~9 hours 15 mins. 10/6/22: ~6 ½ hours. Total: 15 hours 45 mins. 10/7/22: ~6 ½ hours. Total: ~22 hours & 15 mins. Podcast says ~13 hours. 10/13/22: ~3 hours. 10/14/22: ~6 ½ hours. Total: ~22 ½ hours.
Case & court info from 5/17/21 thru 7/19/22 & Trial Day 1-37 (7/18 to 10/13/22, no court on 9/28), Closing argument Day 1-3 (10/3 to 10/5/22) & Jury deliberations thru 10/13/22 reference post #469 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/ca-kristin-smart-san-luis-obispo-arrests-4.635475/page-24
10/14/22 Friday, Trial Day 38/Jury Deliberations continue ONLY for Ruben’s jury. Start at 8:30am. Paul’s jury coming back on Monday, 10/17/22. One of the jurors had a pre-scheduled medical appointment.
For more info see posts #471 to 475 & 477 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/ca-kristin-smart-san-luis-obispo-arrests-4.635475/page-23
Jury deliberations for both juries on Monday, 10/17/22.

Paul Flores convicted in '96 disappearance, murder of California college student Kristin Smart; jury finds his father not guilty

• Paul Flores convicted in '96 disappearance, murder of California college student Kristin Smart; jury finds his father not guilty
  • Sharehttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/verdicts-reached-1996-disappearance-murder-california-college-student-rcna49787?fbclid=IwAR2wTWDy7X2Lwv1K0lKdREVle2FZ8SGYfPEkrqp-K-eSEG7Krhw9F3VDyRIhttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/verdicts-reached-1996-disappearance-murder-california-college-student-rcna49787?fbclid=IwAR2wTWDy7X2Lwv1K0lKdREVle2FZ8SGYfPEkrqp-K-eSEG7Krhw9F3VDyRIhttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/verdicts-reached-1996-disappearance-murder-california-college-student-rcna49787?fbclid=IwAR2wTWDy7X2Lwv1K0lKdREVle2FZ8SGYfPEkrqp-K-eSEG7Krhw9F3VDyRIhttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/verdicts-reached-1996-disappearance-murder-california-college-student-rcna49787?fbclid=IwAR2wTWDy7X2Lwv1K0lKdREVle2FZ8SGYfPEkrqp-K-eSEG7Krhw9F3VDyRIhttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/verdicts-reached-1996-disappearance-murder-california-college-student-rcna49787?fbclid=IwAR2wTWDy7X2Lwv1K0lKdREVle2FZ8SGYfPEkrqp-K-eSEG7Krhw9F3VDyRIhttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/verdicts-reached-1996-disappearance-murder-california-college-student-rcna49787?fbclid=IwAR2wTWDy7X2Lwv1K0lKdREVle2FZ8SGYfPEkrqp-K-eSEG7Krhw9F3VDyRI

 

[Emi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582509312634548224

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582509895525445634

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582508922996371456

 

[LinasK]

Damn.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582477727638044672

Ruben should have been convicted too.

 

[Emi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582509681674633216

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582510581915189248

 

[Emi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505935641059328

 

[Emi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505937515913216

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505940045078530

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505941584400385

 

[LinasK]

Can we get the title of the thread changed now please mods? No longer a "Verdict Watch"

 

[Emi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505943090110465

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505944545603585

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505946554650625

 

[Emi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505948102287360

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505949603844097

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505951134814209

 

[Emi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582505954519629824

 

[Seattle1]

SLO County Sheriff
@SLOSheriff


BREAKING: The juries in the case of People v. Flores have both returned with their verdicts. We will be going live with a press conference at 4 PM in the Monterey County Courthouse where Sheriff Ian Parkinson will discuss the verdicts along with DA Dan Dow and the Smart family.


1:33 PM · Oct 18, 2022·

 

[LinasK]

Paul Flores guilty in murder of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart; his father acquitted

Authorities never found Kristin Smart's body, an issue long considered a stumbling block in the case. She was declared legally dead in 2002.

news.yahoo.com

 

[Seattle1]

Kristin Smart's family shares a message after their daughter's killer was found guilty

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. to discuss the guilty verdict of Paul Flores.

www.ksbw.com

ETA: emergency in the room -- DA asked the room to be cleared and they will resume the news conference after medical attention rendered.

Sounded like somebody collapsed -- hit the floor.

 

[LinasK]

SLO County Sheriff
@SLOSheriff


BREAKING: The juries in the case of People v. Flores have both returned with their verdicts. We will be going live with a press conference at 4 PM in the Monterey County Courthouse where Sheriff Ian Parkinson will discuss the verdicts along with DA Dan Dow and the Smart family.


1:33 PM · Oct 18, 2022·

What channel? I've been looking for local news.

 

[Trouble1321075]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582502476875386881

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582504274596356098

The one thing missing in his statement is he never says he is innocent. If it were me and I was falsely accused I would be screaming it to everyone that the police got wrong guy and I didn't do this. He never says a word. His response is the police don't have the evidence.

 

[Trouble1321075]

Ruben should have been convicted too.

It was a tough case to prosecute. I think they were lucky to get Paul after all this time.

What battles me is how the police missed her being buried under the porch 25 years ago.