Kristin Smart: Longtime suspect Paul Flores and his father stand trial as the case is investigated
Paul Flores and his father Ruben Flores were tried Monday for their alleged involvement in Memorial Day weekend in 1996 when Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old college student, disappeared.
Authorities identified Paul Flores as the last person seen with Kristin Smart at an off-campus party 26 years ago. Flores was a fellow student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo at the time, both were 19 years old.
Years later, when authorities searched Paul Flores’ home, they discovered a stash of materials that belonged to Kristin Smart, including her photograph and letters from the Smart family to the Flores family.
State investigators were investigating Paul Flores’ possible involvement in Smart’s disappearance when they began to harbor suspicions about his father, Ruben Flores.
Prosecutors on Monday found 45-year-old Paul Flores guilty of the murder of Kristin Smart. Ruben Flores, 80, has been charged with aiding and abetting amid allegations that he helped his son conceal Smart’s body.
Information on the Paul Flores case
Paul Flores was first named as a suspect in 1996 after police dogs picked up the smell of a dead person next to his dorm bed, according to People News.
Paul Flores is identified by Assistant District Attorney Christopher Peuvrelle as he addresses the jury in his opening statement. Picture of a pool by @Dreifussphoto
San Luis Obispo, in a recent 2021 hearing, claimed there was enough evidence to suspect Paul Flores killed Kristin Smart after physically abusing her.
He explained:
“We are certain that Mr. Flores’ dormitory was a crime scene.”
According to Dow, Flore’s face was obviously bruised when he was originally questioned by police. He told investigators that baseball-related injuries were inflicted on them.
In his dorm room, Paul Flores’ mattress corner received a carcass dog alarm. According to the handler, it was the “strongest alarm she has ever experienced.” Regardless of the first dog, a second dog will bark in the same place.
According to the AP, authorities began to suspect Smart had been buried in the backyard of Paul’s father, Rubens, home in Arroyo, Grande. This led to the development of the investigation.
According to prosecutors, investigators allegedly found evidence that a human-sized coffin had been buried in the backyard. A blood expert reported finding traces of human blood as well. However, this has not yet been confirmed.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department reopened the investigation into Kristin Smart’s disappearance in 2011, according to the Tribune, though the case went cold.
People News reports that since 2011, detectives have executed 18 search warrants, searched 9 websites, found 140 new pieces of evidence and conducted 91 interviews. Authorities also resubmitted 37 previously collected pieces of evidence for testing in light of advances in DNA technology.
The trial of People v. Paul Flores, who was transferred from San Luis Obispo County to the Monterey Superior Court, was held outside on the first day of the trial. @CourthouseNews
According to Harold Mesick, Ruben Flores’ defense attorney, investigators used cutting-edge technology to find “biological evidence” that indicated Smart had been buried in Flores’ backyard. However, Mesick claims that this will not stand up in court.