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

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Thursday, October 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 35)-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 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). 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 & 10/5/22 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. (a guess on genders). Paul Jury: 10/4/22 Deliberations: ~3pm-5pm (2 hours). 10/5/22: ~8hours; Total: ~10 hours. Ruben Jury: 10/5/22 Deliberations: ~1:43pm-5pm (~3 hours 15 mins).
Case & court info from 5/17/21 thru 7/19/22 & Trial Day 1-33 (7/18 to 10/4/22, no court on 9/28), Closing argument Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4) reference post #367 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/ca-kristin-smart-san-luis-obispo-arrests-4.635475/page-19
10/4/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 33/Closing Arguments (Day 2) – Additional information:
Prosecutor Christopher Peuvrelle closing arguments. Sanger again asked for a motion for mistrial-denied. Court finds no misconduct.
Judge O'Keefe instructed the jurors on how to deliberate. Verdict must be unanimous. They can find Paul: guilty of 1st degree murder, guilty of 2nd degree murder, or not guilty. Jurors started deliberations at 2:59pm.
For more info see posts 368 to 380 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/ca-kristin-smart-san-luis-obispo-arrests-4.635475/page-19
10/5/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 34/Closing Arguments (Day 3): Closing argument by Deputy DA Chris Peuvrelle & Defense attorney Harold V. Mesick & Deputy DA Chris Peuvrelle on rebuttal for Ruben’s jury.
For more info see posts #382 to 400 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/ca-kristin-smart-san-luis-obispo-arrests-4.635475/page-20
For more info see posts #401, 403 to 408, 410 to 412 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/ca-kristin-smart-san-luis-obispo-arrests-4.635475/page-21
Ruben's jury began deliberations @ 1:43pm. The remaining 3 alternate jurors were asked to remain available to fill in until a verdict is returned. I guess Paul’s jury started their deliberations this morning at 8:30am to 5pm.
Trial continues on 10/7/22 with both juries deliberating.
 
@Emi - he says jurors will deliberate during normal court hours. Does that mean from 8:30am to 5pm? One hour for lunch? or do they work thru lunch, if you know.

TIA! :)
 
Niner said:
@Emi - he says jurors will deliberate during normal court hours. Does that mean from 8:30am to 5pm? One hour for lunch? or do they work thru lunch, if you know.

TIA! :)
Click to expand...

Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California

www.sb-court.org www.sb-court.org

The court's normal hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Prospective jurors should make arrangements to remain the entire day.

This is for San Bernardino but I suspect it's very similar across the state of California.

ETA: This is what I found on the San Luis Obispo court website

Jury Service | Superior Court of California | County of San Luis Obispo

www.slo.courts.ca.gov www.slo.courts.ca.gov
Normally, service may be required as often as once per year. Service lasts from one day to the length of the trial, starting at 8:00am and ending at 5:00pm.
I can't find anything specific to deliberations.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
LaborDayRN said:

Frequently Asked Questions | Superior Court of California

www.sb-court.org www.sb-court.org

The court's normal hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Prospective jurors should make arrangements to remain the entire day.

This is for San Bernardino but I suspect it's very similar across the state of California.

ETA: This is what I found on the San Luis Obispo court website

Jury Service | Superior Court of California | County of San Luis Obispo

www.slo.courts.ca.gov www.slo.courts.ca.gov
Normally, service may be required as often as once per year. Service lasts from one day to the length of the trial, starting at 8:00am and ending at 5:00pm.
I can't find anything specific to deliberations.
Click to expand...

Thanks for checking that out. I have noticed that they usually start at 8:30am - at least for the trials - so wondering if that is when they might start each morning & go to 5pm.
 
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