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

Status
Not open for further replies.
2006:
And so in late May, while the Smarts were in Arroyo Grande preparing for a “fun run” in honor of their daughter, Flores was huddled with his parents in the cafeteria of a Torrance courthouse, waiting for a court appearance in his latest DUI case.

Flores, dressed in corduroy pants, a sports shirt and scuffed walking shoes, sat at the corner of a table with his back to the door, one shoulder wedged against a wall. His face was pale, his fingernails overgrown.

His mother sat close beside him, almost like a shield. Across the table his father, a stocky man with silver hair, kept his head on a swivel: More than once, a courtroom appearance by Flores has brought out advocates of the Smart family, or private investigators, or the media.

Ruben Flores locked on a reporter as he walked toward the table. The reporter sat down and in a rush tried to explain that he would like to hear what they had to say about Kristin Smart and all the accusations.

“No,” Paul Flores said emphatically, maintaining eye contact only for a moment before looking down at the table.

Ruben Flores said he had found a note that the reporter had left at his house: “We don’t want to talk. No, thank you.”

Susan Flores, her face flushed, dug through her black leather purse and pulled out a pile of small pieces of paper. Here, she said, peeling one sheet from the deck, “print this.” Typed in stacked and centered lines was the following:

“A long time ago we chose to

“Handle our legal matters in a

“Court of Law

“Not in the

“Media Court of Public Opinion.”
A Cold Case, a Haunting Mystery
 
During the presser I think what caught me most was when it was stated that evidence was located in at least 2 homes. I need to find that online to see the exact wording. THAT makes my wheels spin.
 
An article
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20210413-143506_ABC News.jpg
    Screenshot_20210413-143506_ABC News.jpg
    91.6 KB · Views: 67
  • Screenshot_20210413-143455_ABC News.jpg
    Screenshot_20210413-143455_ABC News.jpg
    58 KB · Views: 68
  • Screenshot_20210413-143444_ABC News.jpg
    Screenshot_20210413-143444_ABC News.jpg
    80.4 KB · Views: 58
Please by some miracle, let them find her.
I believe... please, y’all believe with me.


The news comes about a month after the sheriff named Flores as the “prime suspect” in the case and investigators searched his father’s home and property using ground-penetrating radar and cadaver dogs. The large home on a hill has been the subject of many searches.

Investigators executed 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.

Search warrants were served last year on Paul Flores’ home in the San Pedro area of Los Angeles and at other locations in California and Washington state. Investigators conducted digs on the campus in 2016.

Paul Flores has remained mum through the years, invoking his Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions before a grand jury and in a deposition for a lawsuit that was brought against him.

He was arrested in February on a weapons charge and released on bond. He has drunken driving convictions on his record in Los Angeles County.
‘Prime suspect’ arrested in Kristin Smart’s 1996 disappearance
 
Finally!
It took almost 25 years but sweet justice has arrived!
I am so thankful that Kristen's family will have their answers.

Let's see if Paul Flores invokes the 5th on answering questions this time around without his Daddy there to tell him how to respond. :pMaybe he will finally confess to get a lessor sentence?

I am also glad that Ruben Flores, who is 80, is also finally getting what he deserves....to enjoy his remaining years behind bars.

I am wondering if Susan is a victim of her own ignorance, or if she will soon get shiny bracelets as well?

Highlights from the presser:

Sheriff Ian Parkinson speaking (Sheriff since 2011):
- May 25th 1996 last place KS was seen alive, that is where presser is held
-arrest of PF for murder of KS and the arrest of RF as acessory to the murder

-Timeline :

KS was 19 yr old freshman Cal Poly student last seen May 25th at 2AM near Perimeter and Grand Ave
As she walked home, she was last seen with PF, also a 19 yr old freshman who walked her home from the party. She never returned to her dorm room. Has not been seen or heard of since then
-reported missing to Cal Poly PD May 28, 1996, they handled the initial investigation
-active invesigation since then and with numerous other agencies
-Recived assistance from FBI, California Dept Justice
-Detective Cole has been working on KS's case (unsolved Cold Case Detective)
-PF was a person of signifcant interest since then
as case progressed he was a prime suspect
-In 2011, Sheriff requested a complete review of the case
-In late 2016, they discovered additional evidence that confirmed that that PF was the suspect in KS disappearance
-In 2019 they interviewed several witnesses not previously interviewed
-He gives credit to the Podcast (not mentioned by name?) that led to information, then the interview of a witness
-Court Order authorized interception and monitoring of PF's calls and text messages
-in Feb 2020 SW's served at PF, sister and mothers and father's homes simultaneously last yr
-led to additional SW's
-in March 2021 another SW at RF's home and they found additional evidence regarding the investigation
-Asa result of the evidence, Judge signed two arrest warrants and search warrants and both PF (Murder - zero bail!) and RF (accessory to murder with bail of $200K) were arrested at 7:30 AM today. Two teams were used for the arrests
-currently in process of executing the warrants
-the SW's are sealed. Cannot discuss evidence found (due process right) it has to go to court. Specific items of evidence will not be discussed
-They have NOT recovered KS :(
-They will focus on finding her remains
-LE solves crimes via witnesses and via evidence
-Over 41 search warrants (16 different locations) including the hillside behind them during the presser
-37 items of evidence from early days
-Recovery of 93 new items of physical evidence
-137 interviews
-500 additional police reports
-Size of file is in excess of 3 terrabytes
-Hope for justice for the Smart family
-Has spoken to Smart family, including this morning, they are feeling a bit of relief but this isn't over until KS is returned to them. LE will not stop and are committed to bringing her home
-Case has been turned over to San Luis Obisbo's district attorneys office
-He thanks Detective Cole and a new Detective Commander, and others who have worked on the case.

Sherrif Parkinson Introduces President of Cal Poly, Jeff Armstrong to speak:

President Jeff Armstrong speaks:
-Cal Poly communities have watched case closely and hoped for justice for the family
-news brings sadness & a measure of relief and hope for resolution with today's arrests
-thanks Sherriff, Dept and District Attorney who have worked hard to find answers for Kristen and her family
-Thanks to Chris Lambert as well for his efforts
-Thoughts and prayers are with family and friends

Sherrif does a Q & A:
Answers bolded from Q & A (I couldn't hear all of the questions!)
He was driven from San Pedro, transferred and booked today

Are we Any closer?
Yes. We are. Only time will tell.

In regards to Search Warrants:
They are after anything that will lead to KS's location
Using GPR and checking everywhere possible


PF's arraignment will be on Thursday
RF's arraignment depends on RF, and if he bails out


Why is taking so long?
It is not what you believe, it is what you can prove.

Forensic physical evidence was located and they believe it is related to KS. Physical evidence found at at least two homes.

Chris Lambert took a local story and expanded it to an International story. With students who are not local and are disbursed, the message gets out to the nation and people may remember something. CL's podcast produced new information that he believes was valuable.

There were missteps and things that were done really well. You can always look back and see things that could have been different.

DS has said it is a puzzle they are assembling and if pieces are missing, this is what it has been like for them to find the missing pieces.
There was something of value in various locations that have kept coming up and coming to light.

DA will have to answer if there will be additional charges.

Confident that they have enough of a case to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. No body cases get prosecuted. (Sites a case where a body was recovered after a case was prosecuted.)

Is there a chance there will be a push for a Change of Venue?
The Judge will determine this

It is believed that RF participated

Will not present a motive or a theory


Anyone arrested of a high-profile crime will be on watch

Zero communication, no response

Superior Court signed arrest warrant (Ramey Warrant)

Q: What was their demeanor when they were arrested?
Warrant was to be executed at his residence. Its a bigger operation than meets the eye. Better to follow timeline.

Please forgive typos and spelling errors. This is a summary and not a transcript.
JMO
 
Last edited:
Brooke Martell [URL='https://twitter.com/BrookeMartell']@BrookeMartell [/URL]22m
Paul Flores’ arraignment could be as early as Thursday. -
@SLOSheriff

[URL='https://twitter.com/BrookeMartell']Brooke Martell
@BrookeMartell 26m
The case has been turned over to the SLO County District Attorney for review and their announcement of further proceedings.
Brooke Martell @BrookeMartell [/URL]30m
“We have not recovered Kristin.” - @SLOSheriff

Brooke Martell [URL='https://twitter.com/BrookeMartell']@BrookeMartell [/URL]30m
Search warrants were sealed so Sheriff Parkinson cannot disclosed the evidence that was found that led to arrests.

[URL='https://twitter.com/BrookeMartell']Brooke Martell
@BrookeMartell 31m
Paul Flores is being held without bail.
Brooke Martell @BrookeMartell [/URL]31m
Physical evidence recovered in 2020 led to additional evidence that was related to murder of Kristin... another search warrant issued last month uncovered additional... Ruben and Paul Flores were both arrested this morning at 7:30.


[URL='https://twitter.com/BrookeMartell']Brooke Martell
@BrookeMartell 33m
In late 2016... evidence confirmed Paul was the suspect: @SLOSherif[/URL]
Brooke Martell [URL='https://twitter.com/BrookeMartell']@BrookeMartell [/URL] 36m
Sheriff Parkinson: I’m here this afternoon to announce the arrest of Paul Flores in the murder of Kristin Smart.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
75
Guests online
1,415
Total visitors
1,490

Forum statistics

Threads
589,164
Messages
17,915,083
Members
227,745
Latest member
branditau.wareham72@gmail
Back
Top