Paul Flores has FINALLY been arrested for the disappearance of Kristin Smart. You can read about it here (https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/slo-sheriff-to-make-major-announcement-in-kristin-smart-case?fbclid=IwAR3NUX-ZxrYktHq53jMdZHuOMphQtBPKltGfvkeP6QOZkYQJmNPKXaLM7yU). Paul's father, Ruben, was also taken into custody and another search warrant is being executed.

What a week (and year) this has been for old cases... I hope this P.O.S. gets what is coming to him, and hopefully this brings some small measure of comfort to Kristin's family and friends.

(Thanks once again to RobinW for posting the article on Twitter.)

Thank God!

I hope this P.O.S. gets what is coming to him

Calling him a P.O.S. is being too generous.

Wow...just wow. This is so long overdue. So many horribly, disgusting people FINALLY getting their comeuppance in just the last 6 weeks alone. It's truly amazing.

Also happy to hear that Ruben Flores was also arrested. By why not mom? No way she didn't have a hand AND a say in hiding evidence over the years.

This is a good day.

It's about g-damn time. PF & his father (and possibly his mother) are ALL liable for the disappearance & death of KS. He did it, and they aided him and/or covered for him. To anyone who's followed the case, it's fairly clear what happened here.

Too bad it took 25 years. I hope they have enough to keep this scum-bag in jail for a long time to come. Here's hoping he gets life without parole.

That all being said, I wonder what evidence they have against him?!

I find it interesting that PF's parents stayed in the same general area over the years - instead of moving away due to all the public rancor against them. A lot of this was probably due to the fact that they didn't want LE coming in (if they had moved) and searching their houses/surrounding areas for evidence.

I strongly suspect the excellent podcast by Chris Lambert had at least something to do with this arrest. One of the many telling events in the podcast was that KS's parents blocked PF's joining the military (Navy, IIRC) in late 1996. This was to keep him from leaving town & disappearing from the public eye.

Orange Sock murders, Roger Dean and now this. What a wild year so far.

By why not mom?

IIRC, on the podcast "Your Own Backyard", it was revealed that Ruben was with Paul in the days following Kristin's disappearance, but the mother was out of town.

Beyond happy to hear this and anxiously awaiting the press conference. I really hope Kristin is found where they're excavating so her family can have some amount of closure. And of course, I hope the book is thrown at Paul and his father.

It's about g-damn time. PF & his parents are ALL liable for the disappearance & death of KS. He did it, and they aided him. To anyone who's followed the case, it's fairly clear what happened here.

Too bad it took 25 years. I hope they have enough to keep this scum-bag in jail for a long time to come. Here's hoping he gets life without parole.

I find it interesting that PF's parents stayed in the same general area over the years. A lot of this was probably due to the fact that they didn't want LE coming in (if they had moved) and searching their houses/surrounding areas for evidence.

I strongly suspect the excellent podcast by Chris Lambert had at least something to do with this arrest. One of the many telling events in the podcast was that KS's parents blocked PF's joining the military (Navy, IIRC) in late 1996. This was to keep him from leaving town & disappearing from the public eye.

The fact that there were three different search warrants served in less than a year seemed promising, but I didn't want to let my hopes up.

The stuff I learned through Lambert's podcast made me hate this family more than I already did.

Multiple girls in high school accused Paul of raping them after he gave them the date rape drug. When they went to the police, he always shot back that the sex was consensual and he was never punished. There's not a doubt in my mind that he gave Kristin the date rape drug at that frat party and was prepared to use the "consensual" excuse once again if she had reported him, but this time she ended up dead. Despite her drug induced state, she put up a fight.

Lock him up for life and throw away the key.

YESSSSS!!!!

Now let's get a conviction on this a-hole.

IIRC, on the podcast "Your Own Backyard", it was revealed that Ruben was with Paul in the days following Kristin's disappearance, but the mother was out of town.

Yep. I have the feeling his mother knows what happened but it would be difficult to prove that unless Paul or Ruben testify against her, and we know that won't happen. Like you said, Ruben was with Paul during the time this all went down and there is a lot of evidence that Ruben played a very active role in disposing of Kristin's body and covering up what Paul did.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/san-pedro-man-arrested-in-1996-disappearance-of-cal-poly-slo-student-kristin-smart/

The stuff I learned through Lambert's podcast made me hate this family more than I already did.

Multiple girls in high school accused Paul of raping them after he gave them the date rape drug. When they went to the police, he always shot back that the sex was consensual and he was never punished. There's not a doubt in my mind that he gave Kristin the date rape drug at that frat party and was prepared to use the "consensual" excuse once again if she had reported him, but this time she ended up dead. Despite her drug induced state, she put up a fight.

Lock him up for life and throw away the key.

YES! The Lambert podcast was excellent and very informative, but also hard to listen to when you learned how much more Paul Flores did and how horrible his family was. There were so many times that I listened to episodes of the podcast and actually yelled out loud, "YOU'VE GOT TO BE F***ING KIDDING ME!" That whole family is trash.

There isn't a punishment that would equal the suffering Paul has caused, but yeah, locking him up for life (and hopefully his dad, too) is a good start.

It’s about time.

YES! The Lambert podcast was excellent and very informative, but also hard to listen to when you learned how much more Paul Flores did and how horrible his family was. There were so many times that I listened to episodes of the podcast and actually yelled out loud, "YOU'VE GOT TO BE F***ING KIDDING ME!" That whole family is trash.

There isn't a punishment that would equal the suffering Paul has caused, but yeah, locking him up for life (and hopefully his dad, too) is a good start.

Agreed. Many of the heinous things PF did that were revealed in the podcast included:

-PF almost killed a kid in middle school, after the kid justifiably tried to fight back due to PF having bullied him for a long time prior to that.

-PF stalking multiple women over many years, and not taking no for an answer, etc.

Yep. I have the feeling his mother knows what happened but it would be difficult to prove that unless Paul or Ruben testify against her, and we know that won't happen. Like you said, Ruben was with Paul during the time this all went down and there is a lot of evidence that Ruben played a very active role in disposing of Kristin's body and covering up what Paul did.

Agreed.

Despite her drug induced state, she put up a fight.

Yes. Also in the podcast, CL interviewed an Australian student who had been going to the college (where this happened) at the time. He reported that he was riding his bicycle late at night/early in the morning when KS was last seen, and had seen a man & woman matching PF & KS's descriptions struggling inside of a lit-up building. Though this is not definitive proof of what happened, IMHO it's fairly significant.

Glad there will finally be some justice for her.

She would've been 44 this year, same age as myself (I actually turn 45 this month).

I can't get over the fact that his father had a role in the disappearance. Unbelievable that a parent would cover up a murder but... certainly not the first time.

Oh man... I wonder if they found a body.

"Sheriff Ian Parkinson scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. at the Cal Poly campus to discuss “major developments in the investigation” into Smart’s disappearance.”

“Investigators served another search warrant Tuesday at the home of Ruben Flores about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of the university on California’s Central Coast, KSBY-TV reported. They appeared to be disassembling a deck outside the home and the sound of power saws and drills could be heard whining in the background.”

https://twitter.com/ap/status/1382045852911419392?s=21

Wow! I just watched this segment again a couple of days ago and did some research. I was so bummed to see he still hadn't been arrested. I'm glad this finally happened.

About damn time.

Live presser:

https://www.ksby.com/live

Glad there will finally be some justice for her.

She would've been 44 this year, same age as myself (I actually turn 45 this month).

I can't get over the fact that her father had a role in the disappearance. Unbelievable that a parent would cover up a murder but... certainly not the first time.

HIS father

Alright, more info. has come regarding this. It looks like they still haven't found the body, but have found other physical evidence that links PF to her disappearance.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/13/us/paul-flores-arrest-kristin-smart-case/index.html

I really hope they throw the book at this piece of garbage. It's been a long time coming.

Alright, more info. has come regarding this. It looks like they still haven't found the body, but have found other physical evidence that links PF to her disappearance.

Remember in the podcast when they talked about her watch? I wonder if that is it...

Remember in the podcast when they talked about her watch? I wonder if that is it...

Yes - I posted about this previously in another KS thread:

One of the most unsettling things mentioned was a very strange event that occurred not long after KS's disappearance: In the back of PF's parents' rental house, the couple renting the place heard a beeping (that sounded like a watch alarm) at around 4:20am/4:30am every morning, which would regularly wake them up. They were never able to locate the source of the beeping, and eventually it stopped (almost certainly because the battery died). As it turned out, KS had set her alarm to wake her up @ around that same time every morning due to her lifeguarding job. Creepy as hell.

Also very suspicious was the earring found on the rental property, with what looked like dried blood on the surface.

Here’s another news report from L.A.

https://cbsloc.al/2RtgdC9

YES! The Lambert podcast was excellent and very informative, but also hard to listen to when you learned how much more Paul Flores did and how horrible his family was. There were so many times that I listened to episodes of the podcast and actually yelled out loud, "YOU'VE GOT TO BE F***ING KIDDING ME!" That whole family is trash.

This cannot be echoed enough in regards to the parents. The podcast was an eye opener because it covered major warning signs in Paul that preceded Kristin's disappearance that mom and dad willfully ignored.

In middle school, when Paul beat the living tar out of a kid half his size who finally decided to stand up to him for all his endless bullying, the kid nearly had to be put on life support. The school advised Ruben and Susan Flores that Paul needed to talk to someone professional to get his anger issues under control. The parents angrily refuted that advice.

Likewise, when the date rape allegations happened in high school, they were too quick to write off every girl who accused him. If it happened just once, I think it might be a little easier to probably convince yourself that your son could never do such a thing. But when it happens again? And then again? You are now choosing to ignore reality.

This is exactly why Paul turned in to the pathetic mess of a human being he is now. An entire adolescence of pounding it in his head that any mistake, any bad thing he does is always someone else's fault. It's like a guidebook on how to create the sociopaths of tomorrow. Lord only knows what Paul told his parents after killing Kristin and the mind games they must have played in their heads to make this HER fault for getting killed.

Agree with all of the above post. PF is a bullying, murdering, entitled piece of garbage that thought he could get away with doing whatever he wanted over the years - and his scum-bag parents enabled him.

Thankfully - despite it taking 25 years for him to get arrested for this crime, it's evident that KS's disappearance & his being the only suspect continued to negatively affect him over the years. It affected his employment (businesses would sometimes fire him after finding out who he was) & probably his personal relationships as well, etc.

I find it interesting - but unfortunately not surprising - that CL's podcast was almost certainly what led directly to this arrest. And CL has no connection to local LE - but, he did an incredible amount of work & research on this case. IMHO he's the person who's more responsible for this outcome than anyone else out there.

To anyone who's followed the case, it's fairly clear what happened here.

Can you please describe a brief summary of the case in detail?

Can you please describe a brief summary of the case in detail?

https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Kristin_Smart

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Kristin_Smart

https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Kristin_Smart

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Kristin_Smart

Thank you for the links. Very interesting.

Thank you for the links. Very interesting.

Honestly, check out the In Your Own Backyard podcast - it is excellent and will tell you everything you need to know about this case.

Honestly, check out the In Your Own Backyard podcast - it is excellent and will tell you everything you need to know about this case.

It was one of the best true crime podcasts I've ever listened to. Much better than Serial.

It was one of the best true crime podcasts I've ever listened to. Much better than Serial.

Agreed. And what's even better is that it was his first true crime podcast and it ultimately helped get an arrest in the case!

Sheriff Parkinson laid out the recent timeline leading to Flores's arrest. He explained that in late 2016, investigators got ahold of evidence that identified Flores as the prime suspect in Kristin's disappearance.

Then in 2019, they interviewed at least one new witness that had not been previously interviewed. Parkinson attributed the "Your Own Backyard" podcast for bringing that new information to light.

With that new evidence, Parkinson said detectives were able to secure a court order to intercept Flores's electronic communications.

So badass :clap:

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/slo-sheriff-to-make-major-announcement-in-kristin-smart-case

Honestly, check out the In Your Own Backyard podcast - it is excellent and will tell you everything you need to know about this case.

OK, I will check on it. This case has me very interested. I wonder when that hunk of crap Flores will go on trial.
So thanks for the info on the podcast! :wave:

I hope they both rot in prison for the rest of their lives.

https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1ec1c58/2147483647/strip/true/crop/960x539+0+0/resize/960x539!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb6%2F7b%2F9f245d7f4d25acb22f42f43454b9%2Fpaul-flores-background-2021.jpg

https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/40170ce/2147483647/strip/true/crop/960x539+0+0/resize/960x539!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1d%2Fc1%2F26f262cb4993808bfe14c543b670%2Fruben-flores-background-2021.jpg

Prosecutors officially charge Paul Flores with first degree murder and allege what has been thought all along, that he murdered Kristin in his dorm room after raping her or attempting to rape her:

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-04-14/paul-flores-charged-with-kristin-smarts-murder-prosecutors-say-he-may-have-assaulted-women-in-san-pedro

How do they prove murder charges w/o a body by not relying on circumstantial evidence? How can you prove (legally) she’s been murdered?

How do they prove murder charges w/o a body by not relying on circumstantial evidence? How can you prove (legally) she’s been murdered?

I’m sure we will find all of that out in the coming months. It’s gonna be interesting but one thing is for sure - there is no way in hell they would have moved forward with the arrests if they didn’t have some substantial evidence that they did it.

I’m sure we will find all of that out in the coming months. It’s gonna be interesting but one thing is for sure - there is no way in hell they would have moved forward with the arrests if they didn’t have some substantial evidence that they did it.

Agreed. Even if they didn't find the body/body parts on any of properties, if they did find anything else like the watch, etc. there - that had KS's DNA/blood evidence - that should be enough to definitively link KS's disappearance/death to PF & his parents.

This is a horrific case. But, it's good that the killer almost certainly buried the body on the family's property. I.e., if he had disposed of the body somewhere else, the remains may have been found years ago. However, prosecutors probably would have had a much more difficult time tying him to the crime.

Just my .02

Agreed. Even if they didn't find the body/body parts on any of properties, if they did find anything else like the watch, etc. - that had KS's DNA/blood evidence - that should be enough to definitively link KS's disappearance/death to PF & his parents.

This is a horrific case. But, it's good that the killer almost certainly buried the body on the family's property. I.e., if he had disposed of the body somewhere else, the remains may have been found sooner. However, prosecutors may also have had a much more difficult time tying him to the crime.

Just my .02

I read somewhere that before search warrants were issued, the Flores' neighbors allowed to let cadaver dogs in their yard so they could be near the Flores property and those cadaver dogs alerted for human remains at the Flores vicinity.

I read somewhere that before search warrants were issued, the Flores' neighbors allowed to let cadaver dogs in their yard so they could be near the Flores property and those cadaver dogs alerted for human remains at the Flores vicinity.

Check out the podcast ;)

HIS father

Yes – just realized I misspoke.

Though this case is 25 years old, I remember when it was first aired on Unsolved Mysteries and have been following it over the years. We were both at similar stages in life, just trying to enjoy the college experience and our first taste of independence. I hope the police finally get justice for her and her family.

I am planning to listen to the podcasts this weekend, and it sounds like it may present a lot of new details that were previously overlooked.

For those that may be new to the case, Aphrodite Jones covered this case in 2013.

While only your standard 45 minute episode (without commercials) it does a decent job of providing background information and why Flores was always a person of interest.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2630580/

You should be able to purchase the episode on Amazon, Google Play, or Itunes.

Check out the podcast ;)

I just listened to the first installment of Your Own Backyard: A Face On a Billboard. It was pretty interesting to hear about Kristin Smart's life and personality. Lambert finished talking about the party she went to on the night she went missing and also Paul Flores. I look forward to hearing the next installment: The Only Suspect.

Glad there will finally be some justice for her.

She would've been 44 this year, same age as myself (I actually turn 45 this month).

I can't get over the fact that his father had a role in the disappearance. Unbelievable that a parent would cover up a murder but... certainly not the first time.

I turned 44 yesterday and this case was on my mind because she was my age. I'm glad PF and his POS dad were arrested. Let's hope justice comes for Kristen and her family.

I turned 44 yesterday and this case was on my mind because she was my age. I'm glad PF and his POS dad were arrested. Let's hope justice comes for Kristen and her family.

I saw a recent interview with the Flores mom. She came off as a real idiot and an enabler. Too bad she's not being charged too.

The prosecutor said that they believe they know where her body is located, but wouldn't elaborate.

I also wonder if Ruben Flores will be investigated for potential crimes he committed back in his day? Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and I think Paul got his rapey personality from his father.

Orange Sock murders, Roger Dean and now this. What a wild year so far.

Wow, where in the world have I been

I was listening to Chris Lambert's podcast and was surprised the sheriff's department acknowledged they had recovered both trucks and also some evidence.

I was surprised, since one truck was from 1985 and the other was from 1993.

I've never owned a vehicle, but was just curious how common it was to keep old vehicles, whether to use, sell, or scrap.

I know people keep classic cars, but I figured the odds that one or both of these would be scrapped/recycled by now would be extremely high.

If they managed to find some of her DNA, that would be pretty powerful.

No surprises there. At least the prime suspect is being held without bail!

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/paul-ruben-flores-to-make-second-court-appearance-monday

The plot thickens... I really, really hope they locate her body so her parents can give her a proper burial.

https://abc7.com/10532638/?ex_cid=TA_KABC_FB&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+New+Content+%28Feed%29&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1KEMuUs6XDMkl_b1XmGbsQPWl5FaE9LuLc-x_OXxmYTxIKL1kw10u4_Mg

Updates:

A lawsuit has been filed against Susan Flores and her boyfriend, Mike McConville, accusing them of helping move Kristin Smart's remains.

On Feb. 5, 2020, sheriff’s officials executed a search warrant at Ruben Flores’ home in the 700 block of White Court, Arroyo Grande. The lawsuit alleges that four days later, Susan Flores and McConville worked through the night to remove Smart's body from under the lattice enclosure below the deck of his home.

More than a year later, sheriff's officials executed two more search warrants, on March 15 and April 13, when Paul and Ruben Flores were arrested. No new information has been released as a result of the search warrants.

https://syvnews.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lawsuit-susan-flores-boyfriend-helped-relocate-kristin-smarts-remains/article_cbf8deb6-963f-5e93-99f7-c40006da3fe0.html#1

Also, a preliminary hearing for Paul and Ruben Flores will move forward this Monday, June 28th...

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/crime/article252260013.html

I have to admit, I'm growing a little concerned that Kristin's remains STILL have not been located. I think it's a slam dunk to put away the Flores family if they could just get the body.

I have to admit, I'm growing a little concerned that Kristin's remains STILL have not been located. I think it's a slam dunk to put away the Flores family if they could just get the body.

Same. Unless the "unspecified forensic evidence" of a body being buried included tissue or hair from her (or something else they can get DNA from), they're going to have a tough time getting a guilty verdict :(

I have to admit, I'm growing a little concerned that Kristin's remains STILL have not been located. I think it's a slam dunk to put away the Flores family if they could just get the body.

Same here. It's not impossible to get a murder without a body conviction, but it is much more difficult. If they burned the remains or obscured them enough, they might never be found :( I really hope the evidence found at the Flores home still is conclusive enough to prove that Kristin was there at one time.

Latest -

Prosecutors in Kristin Smart murder case aim to add L.A. rape charges against Paul Flores. San Luis Obispo County prosecutors are seeking to amend their murder case against Paul Flores in the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart to include two allegations of rape of unconscious women in the Los Angeles area.

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.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-07-12/kristin-smart-prosecutors-pursue-paul-flores-l-a-rape-charges

Latest -

Prosecutors in Kristin Smart murder case aim to add L.A. rape charges against Paul Flores. San Luis Obispo County prosecutors are seeking to amend their murder case against Paul Flores in the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart to include two allegations of rape of unconscious women in the Los Angeles area.

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.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-07-12/kristin-smart-prosecutors-pursue-paul-flores-l-a-rape-charges

YES! PF is a serial POS and he should be held fully accountable for ALL his crimes against women. The more they can pin on him, the better. He is truly a disgusting human, as are his parents.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article252794473.html

During that 2020 search, Peuvrelle said Wednesday, investigators found homemade videos on Flores’ computer that show him allegedly raping an intoxicated woman, as well as pornography titled “Real Drunken Girls Drugged and Raped While Passed Out.”

The videos were located in a computer file labeled “Practice,” according to the prosecutor.


Investigators also found two prescription medications that could be used as date rape drugs, Peuvrelle said, as well as numerous amounts of “fetishized rape fantasy porn.”

“Paul Flores is a defendant who likes to rape and drug intoxicated women,” Peuvrelle said Wednesday. “That’s who he is.”

What a sick bastard.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article252794473.html



What a sick bastard.

Yes. Extremely sick but absolutely none of this is the least bit surprising. This guy already had access to date rape drugs before he was even out of high school and two girls accusing him of drugging and raping them back then.

I guess this is what happens when scum rapists like this get to go on living their lives free of punishment for another 2+ decades. He gets so comfortable with the act that he starts filming himself doing the crime.

Lock this miserable POS up and throw away the key.

Yes. Extremely sick but absolutely none of this is the least bit surprising. This guy already had access to date rape drugs before he was even out of high school and two girls accusing him of drugging and raping them back then.

I guess this is what happens when scum rapists like this get to go on living their lives free of punishment for another 2+ decades. He gets so comfortable with the act that he starts filming himself doing the crime.

Lock this miserable POS up and throw away the key.

Before he was finally arrested, I used to think about what a danger he was being out free in society. I'm even more horrified now to realize that he was living in a neighboring city. :eek: It's truly appalling that he got away with not only harming Kristin for over 20 years, but that he never even got locked away for other assaults he committed where the victims were coming forward. Even if Kristin is never found, I truly hope these developments will see him put away for good.

I'm a little late, in that I just watched the most recent podcast episodes that were released on July 6.

That last episode really elaborates on what a sick person Paul Flores is.

I know he is being charged with first degree murder, which should carry more weight than the 6 year plea agreement he was offered originally and refused.

I am just concerned it'll be hard to prove premeditation after all these years. I would hate for the Flores to get off as lightly as Beverly Noe did with the murders of Wendy Camp, Cynthia Britto, and Lisa Kregear.

I realize the circumstances of each case are different, but I hope Flores, if found guilty, goes away for a long time.

It looks like Paul Flores' defense lawyers want to bring in Scott Peterson (yes, THAT Scott Peterson) to testify as a witness?

Scott Peterson met future wife Lacy at Cal Poly Tech in the 90's and apparently they were students there the same time as Kristin. It's being said that Scott briefly knew Kristin on campus. Paul Flores' lawyers want to question Peterson as part of an assertion that cops failed to consider other possible suspects in the case.

They're really reaching here. Unless their intent is turning the trial into a circus.

https://nypost.com/2021/08/08/scott-peterson-set-to-testify-in-kristin-smart-slay-case/

https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/08/07/mark-reichel-scott-peterson-paul-flores-kristin-smart/

Yeah, they’re trying to establish Kristin as a flake who went to Thailand and who has also been seen in several Taco Bell’s since her disappearance. How the Smarts haven’t kidnapped Paul off the streets and beat a confession from him is amazing in itself.

I realize that the defense lawyers are doing their job to try and defend Flores, but blaming Scott Peterson was not something I had on my bingo card.

Yeah, they’re trying to establish Kristin as a flake who went to Thailand and who has also been seen in several Taco Bell’s since her disappearance. How the Smarts haven’t kidnapped Paul off the streets and beat a confession from him is amazing in itself.

Are you serious? I hadn't heard about that.

"Your honor, my client can't be guilty, because she ran off to Thailand to start a new life, but her insatiable appetite for cheap, Mexican-themed fast food has to be quenched, from time to time, so she comes back to the US for Taco Bell."

:rolleyes:

Are you serious? I hadn't heard about that.

"Your honor, my client can't be guilty, because she ran off to Thailand to start a new life, but her insatiable appetite for cheap, Mexican-themed fast food has to be quenched, from time to time, so she comes back to the US for Taco Bell."

:rolleyes:

Yeah, I can’t believe it either. The podcast has an Instagram that he updates daily with his notes from the courtroom.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-09-22/judge-rules-paul-flores-and-father-to-stand-trial-in-1996-kristin-smart-killing

Some of the evidence that they plan on presenting:

During the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor solicited testimony from witness Jennifer Hudson that the now 44-year-old Flores admitted to the crime to her in 1996.

“I’m done playing with her and I put her out underneath my ramp...,” Hudson testified that Flores told her. But she didn’t tell anyone of those words for years and only informed the lead investigator in the case in 2019.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Chris Peuvrelle, seeking to also try Ruben Flores, Paul Flores’ 80-year-old father, as an accessory to the crime, elicited testimony that he said shows the father allegedly concealed the body, eventually moving it after years of keeping some of the remains below a deck at his Arroyo Grande home.

Since the hearing began Aug. 2, Peuvrelle has layered witness upon witness. A classmate testified Paul Flores lied about a black eye he had claimed to have gotten in a basketball game. Another woman testified she saw Paul Flores hanging around Smart’s dormitory even though he claimed to have never been there.

Peuvrelle said that Smart had passed out at the party for two hours in full view of many, and that two friends were holding her to walk her home when her accused killer “came out of the darkness” and repeatedly told one of those friends, Cheryl Anderson, that he would get her home safe.

Though Smart’s body has never been found despite decades of searches, Peuvrelle, through a series of witnesses, showed the elder Flores kept everyone away from an area below a wooden deck at his Arroyo Grande home, and that area had been dug up and refilled.

Paul Flores’ ex-girlfriend, identified as Angie Doe, said she once tried to pick an avocado from the backyard at Ruben Flores’ home.

“I don’t remember if it was Mr. [Paul] Flores or Ruben, but they redirected me away from the avocado trees,” she said. “They told me to come around [the house] and get away from that area.”

A renter of the home told a similar story.

A geologist testified that in one of the holes that was dug, there was a lack of consistency in the sandy soil and a “bathtub ring” along the side of the wall, which she said was a “good indication” of a human burial site and that its contents were later removed. Fibers recovered could also be consistent with the clothes Smart was last seen wearing, another expert testified.

I hope these guys fry.

Jury selection has finished and the trial is FINALLY going to start on Monday, July 19th.

https://keyt.com/news/san-luis-obispo-county/2022/07/14/court-finishes-jury-selection-hears-final-motions-in-kristin-smart-murder-case-trial-begins-monday/

It worries me that they haven't found Kristin's remains. But I still have hope that Paul Flores will FINALLY be found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

Jury selection has finished and the trial is FINALLY going to start on Monday, July 19th.

https://keyt.com/news/san-luis-obispo-county/2022/07/14/court-finishes-jury-selection-hears-final-motions-in-kristin-smart-murder-case-trial-begins-monday/

It worries me that they haven't found Kristin's remains. But I still have hope that Paul Flores will FINALLY be found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

Don't forget about his scum bag father, Ruben.

Jury selection has finished and the trial is FINALLY going to start on Monday, July 19th.

https://keyt.com/news/san-luis-obispo-county/2022/07/14/court-finishes-jury-selection-hears-final-motions-in-kristin-smart-murder-case-trial-begins-monday/

It worries me that they haven't found Kristin's remains. But I still have hope that Paul Flores will FINALLY be found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

I have to say, if I was on a jury and was asked to convict someone of murder without the corpus delicti, I'd have to vote to acquit.

I have to say, if I was on a jury and was asked to convict someone of murder without the corpus delicti, I'd have to vote to acquit.

Even with overwhelming evidence? :crazy:

BTW, Dawan Ferguson was just convicted about a week ago for the murder of his special needs son. No body.

Even with overwhelming evidence? :crazy:

BTW, Dawan Ferguson was just convicted about a week ago for the murder of his special needs son. No body.

You can't have overwhelming evidence when you can't even show someone is in fact deceased.

Yeah, they are getting convictions without bodies, but that dies not make it just.

You can't have overwhelming evidence when you can't even show someone is in fact deceased.

Yeah, they are getting convictions without bodies, but that dies not make it just.

I guess you don't believe in common sense

I guess you don't believe in common sense

"Common sense" is not how I want my justice system to work. And "common sense" is really not an appeal to reason. That's just my view.

"Common sense" is not how I want my justice system to work. And "common sense" is really not an appeal to reason. That's just my view.

Here is some common sense for you: you're on the beach, resting in a lounge chair. You look around at the smooth sand and close your eyes. You fall asleep for 10 minutes. When you open your eyes, you see footprints in the sand. Common sense tells you that someone walked past you even though you didn't see it.
Now going with your ridiculous logic, nobody walked by. Don't believe the circumstantial evidence. Don't believe in common sense.

While yes, I would obviously prefer her body to be found. But I still think there is more than enough circumstantial evidence for a guilty verdict. And I am praying that it happens.

Paul Flores is human garbage. His parents (also human pieces of garbage) are hugely responsible for him being that way. And it's a perfect lesson in teaching parents how to not to mess up their kids. Don't raise them to believe every mistake or every instance of bad behavior is always someone else's fault. Don't block them from ever having to face the consequences of their actions. Look what kind of person they can become.

I also want him locked up because every second he's a free man, any woman in his immediate orbit is in danger. They must be told to never accept a drink from this guy because the date rape drug has been his only friend since he was in high school. Decades go by and he's still doing it. We had another victim come forward in 2019 who was interviewed on TV with the same story. Whatever he put in her drink made her too weak to fight back.

IMO, it's no coincidence that witnesses who were at that college party recall Kristin (with Paul constantly by her side) appearing to be drunk and eventually passing out but never once being seen holding a drink. That fact that she was basically unconscious and left alone with Paul to "carry her back to her dorm," still gives me the creeps. Especially after knowing what he likes to do to unconscious females.

Tomorrow is the big day. Hopefully, karma has finally caught up with Paul Flores and his crap bag father, Ruben. The circumstantial evidence is overwhelming. Flores is so guilty.

I'm watching Court TV now, looking forward to seeing this Flores trial, but I'm pretty sure I heard Ted Rowlands say that there won't be any cameras in the California trial. What's up with that? After all these years, we can't see this trial unfold? They're showing the Nicholas Cruz trial in Florida and the phony funeral home trial in Ohio, so why not the Flores trial in California? I am so pissed!

The trial has been going on for weeks now and there's been some delays and postponements along the way. A witness was questioned today who claimed Paul Flores confessed to her that he killed Kristin. But there's some drug use involved that I don't think this will mean much.

Copied and pasted from the San Luis Obispo Tribune, since some might not have access to it....

Woman who says Flores confessed to killing Kristin Smart in tears as defense questions her

The Santa Maria woman who testified Paul Flores was “1,000% serious” when he told her he killed Kristin Smart in 1996 was rigorously cross-examined Monday by defense attorneys who questioned her alleged drug habits and gang affiliations.

On Thursday, Jennifer Hudson testified in Monterey County Superior Court that “there was nothing alive” behind Flores’ eyes when he told her he killed Smart while at a friend’s house in San Luis Obispo during the summer of 1996.

That was one of two times Hudson said she interacted with Flores, who’s accused of murdering Smart and hiding the Cal Poly student’s body with the help of his father, Ruben Flores.

The other one occurred a few weeks later when she drove friends to a skate ramp in Huasna, she said, adding that she vomited after seeing Paul Flores there.

Hudson said she discussed those encounters with only one person — her former roommate, Justin Goodwin — while the two were drunk in 2002.

Flores’ defense attorney, Robert Sanger, continued his cross-examination, alleging Hudson was “on meth” when Flores allegedly told her he killed Smart and had “prospective motorcycle gang members” do surveillance on the Flores family in 2019.

Hudson denied both of these allegations during her testimony.

MEETING PAUL FLORES WAS A REALITY CHECK, WITNESS SAYS

The original tip Goodwin allegedly gave law enforcement in 2002 apparently said Flores told Hudson he killed Smart while the two were doing methamphetamines together, Sanger said.

Hudson didn’t find out Goodwin’s tip made an allegation about drug use until 2019, when she spoke with law enforcement, she testified. She has denied the allegation ever since she found out about it, she said.

Hudson testified she experimented with drugs — mostly cannabis — for a few years.

“I was 15 and I was interested to see what would make a mother” kick their daughter out of the house, she said.

During the summer of 1996, she would sometimes try meth, or “crank,” Hudson said, adding that she was not on anything other than “maybe a little bit of pot” either time she interacted with Flores.

She said she “never did meth again” after meeting Flores because it was a reality check.

DEFENSE QUESTIONS OUT OF LINE WITH PRETRIAL MOTION

A pretrial motion granted in July banned Hudson from being asked about her alleged motorcycle gang affiliation because, according to unsealed court documents, she did not meet any members of a certain motorcycle gang until she was 32 — 15 years after Flores allegedly admitted he murdered Smart.

This didn’t stop the defense from asking about it.

Sanger and Ruben Flores’ attorney, Harold Mesick, alleged Hudson had “prospects,” or prospective motorcycle gang members, do surveillance of the Flores family in 2019.

Hudson said she heard Flores had returned to town shortly after she talked to law enforcement and called a friend to “help me out” because she “was afraid him or his family would come after me.”

In a text message from Hudson sent to Goodwin read aloud to the court, Hudson wrote her “guy” told her three “prospects” who checked out the home of Paul Flores’ mother, Susan Flores, as well as Huasna Townsite Road and the location of the Huasna skate ramp, did not see anything.

Hudson said she was simply relaying the information her friend told her.

Mesick alleged Hudson knew “prospects” were prospective motorcycle gang members, but San Luis Obispo Deputy District Attorney Chris Peuvrelle objected to the line of questioning and Superior Court Judge Jennifer O’Keefe agreed to halt it.

alleged she and Goodwin used to joke about Flores, noting one conversation where Goodwin wrote in a message “Paul Flores should just kill himself” to which Hudson replied, “that would be ideal.”

“Absolutely, I wasn’t joking,” Hudson testified.

She also said she felt responsible for the misery experienced by the Smart family.

“If I had, if I was not a coward, I would have come forward (to law enforcement) then,” she said through tears.

Peuvrelle asked Hudson if she regretted not talking to law enforcement until 2019.

After a long pause, wiping back tears and taking a deep breath, Hudson replied, “Yes.”

She said she had trouble completing her first call with “Your Own Backyard” podcaster Chris Lambert because the call “went like this,” referring to her current emotional state.

She said she vividly remembers Flores calling Smart “a d--k tease” and that he “took care of her and put her under his place in Huasna.”

Hudson was excused from court around noon, and a new witness was expected to take the stand at 1:30 p.m. when court resumes.

The news just broke 15 minutes ago - Paul Flores found guilty of first-degree murder! Still waiting on a verdict about Ruben....

https://www.ksby.com/news/kristin-smart-case/jurors-reach-verdicts-in-kristin-smart-murder-trial

The news just broke 15 minutes ago - Paul Flores found guilty of first-degree murder! Still waiting on a verdict about Ruben....

https://www.ksby.com/news/kristin-smart-case/jurors-reach-verdicts-in-kristin-smart-murder-trial

Ruben found not guilty.

Wouldn’t it have been wild if the guilty verdicts were the other way around considering the charges?

I just don’t understand what made them go to prosecute them now as opposed to many years ago? As far as I know they didn’t have any more actual *physical* evidence now than they did 20+ years ago. 🤷🏻*♂️

Guilty as sin, always has been. Now let's wait for him to cut a deal before sentencing to lead them to her body.

Not surprised by the verdict, but disappointed nonetheless. The precedent of murder convictions when death cannot even be established is worrisome.

For those interested, 48 Hours just released a new episode about Kristin. You can watch on YouTube or on CBS' website.

Ruben found not guilty.

Wouldn’t it have been wild if the guilty verdicts were the other way around considering the charges?

I just don’t understand what made them go to prosecute them now as opposed to many years ago? As far as I know they didn’t have any more actual *physical* evidence now than they did 20+ years ago. 🤷🏻*♂️

I'm sad to say I attribute the decision to 2 main reasons.

1. The case became an enduring and well known one, and received far more resources as a result.

2. The legal system has declined considerably in the last 20 years and getting a conviction with no corpus delicti is now acceptable.

I'm sad to say I attribute the decision to 2 main reasons.

1. The case became an enduring and well known one, and received far more resources as a result.

2. The legal system has declined considerably in the last 20 years and getting a conviction with no corpus delicti is now acceptable.

I would love to have a chat with you about your opinions on this. Are you saying that prosecutors should be barred from moving forward on a case when there is no body?

No judgment. Just curious.

I would love to have a chat with you about your opinions on this. Are you saying that prosecutors should be barred from moving forward on a case when there is no body?

No judgment. Just curious.

Sure.

In essence, we have a legal system that in most states is a derivative of the English Common Law system at its core (Louisiana is another matter). This system at its core is adversarial in nature, some government officials do not act as investigators of fact but as prosecutors of a case. Other government officials (ie the courts) act to hear cases and render judgement between competing claims.
In such a system there are various protections granted to the accused to prevent miscarriage of justice. One example is a presumption of innocence until a case can be demonstrated otherwise to the satisfaction of the courts. Another protection is the rule of Corpus Delicti, literally from Latin as "the body of offense", but more broadly construed to be the requirement that a prosecutor demonstrate a crime has occurred as a prerequisite to a guilty verdict for that crime.
In the case of a homicide this was historically a requirement to produce the body of the deceased, thus proving death had occurred, and usually some evidence as to the manner of death.
However, this requirement has been eroding with time, up to this point where over the last several decades murder convictions "without a body" have become celebrated case studies (no doubt helped along by the likes of Forensic Files and the innumerable copycats which exclusively present such cases as successes).
Nonetheless, my view is that a murder conviction should require the prosecution to produce a body, both to prove that the person is dead and to give some bounds on the time and manner of death, if not evidence thereof. This may seem like a relatively strict evidence standard, but I would argue that in the case of murder it is a protection which the accused ought to be entitled to as murder is the second most serious charge in most legal systems. Usually the charge of murder has no statute of limitations, meaning cases may be brought decades after the fact (as in this case) which disadvantages the accused because witnesses or evidence to their defense may have died/become unavailable or been lost respectively (this is not necessarily a disadvantage to the prosecution, which can collect evidence for years even if the accused is unaware they are under suspicion). Murder is also a capital offense which gives further reason for a high evidentiary standard. (Analogous to the above, Treason, which is a capital offense and the only crime more serious than murder in most legal systems, requires 2 witnesses under the US constitution, the only such crime with a higher evidentiary requirement in that respect).
The enthusiasm for convictions without a body is often justified with little more than "people shouldn't be able to get away with murder just because they hid the body" which is essentially a Consequentialist statement, ie. the ends justify the means (its okay remove a protection for the accused if it results in convictions). The problem of course is that our system is built around protections for the accused an the adversarial process, and is inherently not Consequentialist. And few people, if any, would want to live in a country where the justice system operated according to such a process.
Granted, some who are familiar with the law may present a more complex argument around cases where the Corpus Delicti absent a body is still sufficient for a "proof beyond reasonable doubt" but I find such arguments underwhelming, though certainly better than pop approach of "they shouldn't get away."

Paul Flores was sentenced earlier today to 25 years to life for the murder of Kirstin Smart. See link below:
https://www.ksby.com/news/kristin-smart-case/judge-denies-motions-seeking-new-trial-acquittal-for-paul-flores

Paul Flores was sentenced earlier today to 25 years to life for the murder of Kirstin Smart. See link below:
https://www.ksby.com/news/kristin-smart-case/judge-denies-motions-seeking-new-trial-acquittal-for-paul-flores

Finally.

This should have happened 25 years ago. The Police must have really screwed up in 1996. Hell there was a man from the Northeast USA, who was so moved to help missing persons that he actually moved to the area to help with the case. The Smart family, realising his intentions were good, and the fact he was sleeping in his vehicle, invited him in, and gave him a home cooked meal, leading to 25 years of friendship.

Having said that, the man created a website around 2000? that I came across in early 2002. He made the whole site about the Flores family, and went on to say that he knew that they had assisted Paul in concealing Kristin's murder.

I recall seeing photos he took of Paul Flores mother getting arrested, after attacking him on the street, since he was filming the Flores residence, and handing out pamphlets to the neighbours about the case. I'll have to look up the name, but this guy was making life extremely uncomfortable for the Flores family.

20 years later, they finally arrest Paul and sentence him to life in prison. Too bad that he could not have been charged over 20 years ago. It would have prevented tons of women from getting victimised by an older Paul Flores.

Update: His name is Dennis Mahon

I’m very happy that he is off the street. He was a danger to any woman in the vicinity of him. He should have been arrested long ago.

I’m also happy that Paul’s parents are miserable. It’s hard not to have disdain for them. They created this monster. They ignored all the early warning signs. They taught Paul that he never has to accept responsibility for his actions because it’s always someone else’s fault. Look where this got you. Your son was already date raping girls by high school.

Good riddance to that entire family.

New information in this case:
https://www.modbee.com/news/california/article276971013.html

Sure.

In essence, we have a legal system that in most states is a derivative of the English Common Law system at its core (Louisiana is another matter). This system at its core is adversarial in nature, some government officials do not act as investigators of fact but as prosecutors of a case. Other government officials (ie the courts) act to hear cases and render judgement between competing claims.
In such a system there are various protections granted to the accused to prevent miscarriage of justice. One example is a presumption of innocence until a case can be demonstrated otherwise to the satisfaction of the courts. Another protection is the rule of Corpus Delicti, literally from Latin as "the body of offense", but more broadly construed to be the requirement that a prosecutor demonstrate a crime has occurred as a prerequisite to a guilty verdict for that crime.
In the case of a homicide this was historically a requirement to produce the body of the deceased, thus proving death had occurred, and usually some evidence as to the manner of death.
However, this requirement has been eroding with time, up to this point where over the last several decades murder convictions "without a body" have become celebrated case studies (no doubt helped along by the likes of Forensic Files and the innumerable copycats which exclusively present such cases as successes).

I can probably name numerous cases of where they prosecuted individuals, when there was no body found. This is not something new...it dates back decades.


Nonetheless, my view is that a murder conviction should require the prosecution to produce a body, both to prove that the person is dead and to give some bounds on the time and manner of death, if not evidence thereof. This may seem like a relatively strict evidence standard, but I would argue that in the case of murder it is a protection which the accused ought to be entitled to as murder is the second most serious charge in most legal systems.

In other words, if a person who commits a homicide destroys a body so that it is not possible to recover, they should go scot-free?

Usually the charge of murder has no statute of limitations, meaning cases may be brought decades after the fact (as in this case) which disadvantages the accused because witnesses or evidence to their defense may have died/become unavailable or been lost respectively (this is not necessarily a disadvantage to the prosecution, which can collect evidence for years even if the accused is unaware they are under suspicion).

Murder should never have a "statute of limitations." That is one of the most ridiculous positions I have heard on this forum (aside from your comments regarding the Anthonette Cayedito case). Technology is constantly evolving. If one committed multiple homicides in the 70s and 80s, and it is found through advances in technology (DNA, etc) that they are responsible, we should just "let them off the hook" and forget about it?

In other words, if it were up to you, the Golden State Killer would have just been forgiven, and left in peace in his retirement age, since the 50+ rapes and 12 murders he committed, happened in the 70s/80s.

The enthusiasm for convictions without a body is often justified with little more than "people shouldn't be able to get away with murder just because they hid the body" which is essentially a Consequentialist statement, ie. the ends justify the means (its okay remove a protection for the accused if it results in convictions). The problem of course is that our system is built around protections for the accused an the adversarial process, and is inherently not Consequentialist. And few people, if any, would want to live in a country where the justice system operated according to such a process.
Granted, some who are familiar with the law may present a more complex argument around cases where the Corpus Delicti absent a body is still sufficient for a "proof beyond reasonable doubt" but I find such arguments underwhelming, though certainly better than pop approach of "they shouldn't get away."

You actually have a problem with people being of the opinion that persons responsible for homicides should be punished if it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that they committed the murder, even if a body was not recovered? So I guess that would please groups like the Mexican Cartel and various American gangs, who often incinerate corpses. But hey, under your suggestion, no body, no crime...

I’m very happy that he is off the street. He was a danger to any woman in the vicinity of him. He should have been arrested long ago.

I’m also happy that Paul’s parents are miserable. It’s hard not to have disdain for them. They created this monster. They ignored all the early warning signs. They taught Paul that he never has to accept responsibility for his actions because it’s always someone else’s fault. Look where this got you. Your son was already date raping girls by high school.

Good riddance to that entire family.

Apparently, there was a man from New England, in lieu of the 9/11 attacks, re-evaluated his life, and decided to dedicate his life to helping families solve cold cases. In early 2002, he had a website that may have been called "Find Kristian Smart." Dennis Mahon was his name.

It was clear from the beginning that the information he had received online, and from friends/family of Smart, that everyone believed Paul Flores was responsible. He used to spend most of the day filming or taking photos of the Flores residence.

It became so pestering to the Flores family, that the wife actually assaulted him, and was taken away in handcuffs (unsure if she was charged with anything). This was 20 years before he was convicted. Even back then, everyone knew that Flores was guilty.

Apparently, there was a man from New England, in lieu of the 9/11 attacks, re-evaluated his life, and decided to dedicate his life to helping families solve cold cases. In early 2002, he had a website that may have been called "Find Kristian Smart." Dennis Mahon was his name.

It was clear from the beginning that the information he had received online, and from friends/family of Smart, that everyone believed Paul Flores was responsible. He used to spend most of the day filming or taking photos of the Flores residence.

It became so pestering to the Flores family, that the wife actually assaulted him, and was taken away in handcuffs (unsure if she was charged with anything). This was 20 years before he was convicted. Even back then, everyone knew that Flores was guilty.

Let me get this straight. If you have a stalker who spends their life filming your residence, and you finally snap and clock them, then that proves your son is guilty of murder? Non sequitur does not even begin to apply here.

"Everyone knew he was guilty" is the equivalent of guilty until proven innocent in the court of public opinion and Twitter.

Let me get this straight. If you have a stalker who spends their life filming your residence, and you finally snap and clock them, then that proves your son is guilty of murder? Non sequitur does not even begin to apply here.

The first amendment protects his right to freedom of speech. If one is to take pictures of a residence, or film a individual from a public place, they have the right to do that, as long as they are not making threats, or committing slander/libel against them.

If an independent blogger reports on the case, and you were to come out and physically attack them in a public space, that is a crime. BTW, who said anything about the actions of the mother "prove the son guilty of murder?"

If people were not allowed to do this, there would be no media, as it is their job to perform this duty.