SLO County DA Alleges Murder Suspect Paul Flores Sexually Assaulted, Killed Kristin Smart
Paul Flores and his father, Ruben Flores, were arrested Tuesday in connection with the 1996 disappearance of a Cal Poly student
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow files a murder charge against Paul Flores in the disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart and answers questions about the process on Wednesday. (David Middlecamp / San Luis Obispo Tribune photo) By Matt Fountain, Nick Wilson and Lindsey Holden for The San Luis Obispo Tribune
April 14, 2021
| 2:10 p.m.
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow on Wednesday said Paul Flores is suspected of raping or attempting to rape and then killing missing Cal Poly student Kristin Smart in 1996.
Smart s body has yet to be located. click to enlarge Photo By Jayson Mellom
ANNOUNCEMENT Speaking at Cal Poly, SLO County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said the Sheriff’s Office arrested Paul and Ruben Flores on April 13 in connection with Kristin Smart’s 1996 disappearance. On the morning of April 13, Paul, 44, was taken into custody at his residence in San Pedro and Ruben, 80, in Arroyo Grande. At a press conference on April 14, SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow announced that his office was charging Paul with first-degree murder. Dow alleged that Paul killed Smart while attempting to rape or raping her. The district attorney alleged that Ruben helped conceal Smart s body after she was murdered.
Son, father appear in court for hearing in 1996 killing
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LOS ANGELES – A former California college student charged with murder in the 1996 disappearance of classmate Kristin Smart and the defendant’s father, who is accused of helping hide the young woman’s body, made their first court appearance Thursday but did not enter pleas.
Paul Flores, 44, was charged with first-degree murder for the killing that allegedly happened as he tried to rape Smart in his dorm room at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo after an off-campus party. Witnesses said Smart was intoxicated and Flores had said he would walk her home.
Fox News contributor and forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden with insight on Fox & Friends First.
A California man and his father charged in connection with the 1996 disappearance of 19-year-old college student Kristin Smart did not enter pleas during their first virtual court appearance Thursday morning.
Paul Flores, whom investigators declared a prime suspect last month, made his remote appearance in San Luis Obispo Superior Court wearing a suit and tie, while his 80-year-old father, Ruben Flores, appeared in an orange prison jumpsuit.
Defense attorneys for the Flores’ requested that the arraignments be continued until Monday, when they will enter a plea and hear arguments related to bail. A San Luis Obispo Superior Court judge approved the request and set a new date for April 19 at 1:30 p.m. PT.
Paul Flores and his father face court for first time since being charged in Kristin Smart s murder but neither enter a plea after prosecutors claim California student was killed during attempted rape
Paul Flores, 44, is charged with first-degree murder in the 1996 disappearance of the 19-year-old Cal Poly University student
His father, Ruben Flores, 80, is charged with helping his son conceal Smart s body, which has never been found
The pair, who were arrested on Tuesday after years of investigation, faced San Luis Obispo County Court via Zoom on Thursday
Their arraignment hearing was delayed until Monday
Paul is being held without bail and his father s bond has been set at $250,000