CA KRISTIN SMART: Missing from San Luis Obispo, CA - 25 May 1996 - Age 19 *PAUL FLORES GUILTY*

Kristin was last seen on May 25, 1996. Her nickname is Roxy. FOUL PLAY IS SUSPECTED.
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Smart was a freshman architecture major at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California in 1996. She departed from an off-campus party and headed for her dormitory at approximately 1:30 and 2:00 a.m. on May 25, 1996. At the party, Smart was acting as if she was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. When she left the gathering, she was having trouble walking.

Smart was accompanied by a female acquaintance and another student from the university, Paul R. Flores, when she left the party. Her friend separated from Smart and Flores at the intersection of Perimeter Road and Grand Avenue on the college campus.

Flores allegedly told Smart's friend that he would see Smart to her home. She was last seen walking north on Grand Avenue with Flores, towards Muir Hall, her dormitory. Smart has never been heard from again. She was not carrying any identification, cash or personal belongings at the time she vanished.

NCMEC -

Have you seen this child? KRISTIN SMART

Missing From: SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. Missing Date: May 25, 1996 12:00:00 AM. Kristin was last seen on May 25, 1996. Her nickname is Roxy. FOUL PLAY IS SUSPECTED.

www.missingkids.org

NamUs -

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

Doe Network -

1652DFCA - Kristin Denise Smart

Although there's been an arrest in her case, KRISTIN SMART is still missing from San Luis Obispo, CA and has been since 5 May 1996 - Age 19

Three fellow students escorted Smart back to her hall of residence after an off-campus party. A fellow Cal Poly student, Paul Flores, was the last person known to have seen her alive.

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[Cousin Dupree]

Dateline tonight is about the Kristin Smart case. I need a little brushing up on it.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Full Dateline episode.

Watch Dateline Episode: Justice for Kristin Smart - NBC.com

Watch Justice for Kristin Smart (Season 31, Episode 24) of Dateline or get episode details on NBC.com

www.nbc.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Longtime attorney for Kristin Smart's family looks back at case after killer's sentencing

KSBY News anchor Richard Gearhart sat down with attorney James Murphy to have him reflect on his years of involvement in the Kristin Smart case.

www.ksby.com

Longtime attorney for Kristin Smart's family looks back at case after killer's sentencing​

The key players responsible for solving, prosecuting and sending Paul Flores to prison for the murder of Kristin Smart have come and gone over the past 26 years, but one person who has remained committed to the case from the very beginning is the Smart family's attorney, James Murphy.

KSBY News anchor Richard Gearhart sat down with Murphy recently to have him reflect on his years of involvement and get his perspective on the case.

Murphy spent more than a quarter of a century trying to get justice for longtime missing Cal Poly student Kristin Smart and her family. He says it has always been apparent to him who was behind her disappearance and death.

“I think it was pretty clear who the person responsible was, and I've actually been accusing him of the crime since day one," Murphy said. "Once I got enough information, I wanted to let him know that he was never going to get away with that. In fact, I ended 50 interviews over the years by looking in the camera going, 'Paul, we're going to get you.'”

And that’s exactly what Murphy did.

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/crime/article273220240.html

For years, Paul Flores was prime suspect in Kristin Smart’s murder. What cracked the case?
Former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ed Williams told The Tribune in May 1997 that Kristin Smart’s murder would never be solved unless Paul Flores, the sole suspect in the case, admitted to law enforcement that he was responsible.

Flores still maintains his innocence more than 26 years later, but he was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life for Smart’s murder.

Monterey County Superior Court Judge Jennifer O’Keefe told Flores during his March sentencing that he is a “cancer to society,” and deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Paul Flores planning to appeal Kristin Smart murder conviction

A notice of appeal was filed with Monterey County Superior Court on April 10 by Flores' attorney, Robert Sanger.

www.ksby.com

Paul Flores planning to appeal Kristin Smart murder conviction​

Paul Flores is planning to appeal his conviction for the murder of Kristin Smart.

A notice of appeal was filed with Monterey County Superior Court on April 10 by Flores' attorney, Robert Sanger.

Sanger represented Flores throughout his lengthy preliminary hearing in 2021 and then months-long jury trial in 2022 in Monterey County.

The recently-filed documents request that a court appointed attorney be assigned to Flores for his appeal.

The Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, confirmed with KSBY that it has received the pending appeal.

Flores, 46, is currently housed at North Kern State Prison in Delano, a reception center in Kern County. Following his evaluation there, he will likely then be transferred somewhere else to serve out his sentence.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article275744751.html

BY CHLOE JONES
UPDATED MAY 26, 2023 10:40 AM

Twenty-seven years ago, Denise Smart was at a swim meet. It was 1996, and her two youngest children, Matt and Lindsey, were competing in an annual Memorial Day weekend competition in Stockton.

It was the first her oldest daughter, Kristin, wasn’t there for. Kristin was away at college — Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo — finishing up her freshman year.

That day, Denise received the phone call no parent can imagine: Her daughter was missing. Cal Poly officials told Denise that Kristin likely went camping for the weekend, but a motherly instinct told her that wasn’t the case.

So she called Kristin’s roommates, who said Kristin had left behind her backpack, ID and other essential belongings.

“It was just immediately off-kilter,” Denise recalled with goosebumps forming on her arms. “I was immediately concerned.” Upon receiving the news, Denise’s husband Stan drove at once to San Luis Obispo.

He hoped Kristin would have returned to Cal Poly by the time he arrived there. He thought he would just have to give his daughter a lecture.

But that moment never happened, and neither Stan nor Denise could predict the unending nightmare that would unfold from that day.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lengthy article at link. ~Summer

 

[Summer_Breeze]

MSN

Story by Richard Winton • 2h ago
LA Times

<snip>

Smart's parents, Stan and Denise Smart, say the guilty verdict wasn't enough. They want to be able to lay their daughter's remains to rest.

Even the San Luis Obispo County's Sheriff's Office has refused to close the case.

"We don’t take a breath. We do not put this aside. We continue to pursue this until we bring Kristin home to the family," Sheriff Ian Parkinson said after Flores' trial.

Now three men — an engineer, a scientist and a FBI research-chemist-turned-professor — are on a quest to find where the 19-year-old's body is buried.

They are using technology known as soil vapor sampling, which they say could detect the presence of volatile organic compounds that may be associated with decomposing human remains. Although the practice is still in the theoretical research stage, scientists have spent two decades studying the chemical compounds associated with the breakdown of human bodies.

Sheriff's Det. Greg Smith said the department is investigating the trio's work to determine whether it might be useful in the Smart case. Chief Deputy Nathan Paul, who is supervising the investigation, said sheriff's officials have also been in touch with the FBI about the research done by the men.

The science is unproven and has never been used in any criminal proceedings, but the group is confident in its findings.

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Lengthy article a link. ~Summer

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Cal Poly graduates team up to find remains of Kristin Smart

Two scientists are teaming up with a former FBI agent in an effort to find the remains of Kristin Smart.

www.ktvu.com

Cal Poly graduates team up to find remains of Kristin Smart​

Two scientists are teaming up with a former FBI agent in an effort to find the remains of Kristin Smart.

Now, two Cal Poly graduates along with a former FBI analyst are collecting evidence in a new effort to find her remains and solve part of the mystery that still surrounds her death.

Sleuths are on a quest to find Kristin Smart’s body, the last piece of an enduring mystery

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. — It’s been 27 years since Kristin Smart disappeared following an off-campus party after being “hunted” for months by another Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student.

www.starbeacon.com

Sleuths are on a quest to find Kristin Smart’s body, the last piece of an enduring mystery​

Smart’s parents, Stan and Denise Smart, say the guilty verdict wasn’t enough. They want to be able to lay their daughter’s remains to rest.

Even the San Luis Obispo County’s Sheriff’s Office has refused to close the case.

“We don’t take a breath. We do not put this aside. We continue to pursue this until we bring Kristin home to the family,” Sheriff Ian Parkinson said after Flores’ trial.

Now three men — an engineer, a scientist and a FBI research-chemist-turned-professor — are on a quest to find where the 19-year-old’s body is buried.

They are using technology known as soil vapor sampling, which they say could detect the presence of volatile organic compounds that may be associated with decomposing human remains. Although the practice is still in the theoretical research stage, scientists have spent two decades studying the chemical compounds associated with the breakdown of human bodies.

Sheriff’s Det. Greg Smith said the department is investigating the trio’s work to determine whether it might be useful in the Smart case. Chief Deputy Nathan Paul, who is supervising the investigation, said sheriff’s officials have also been in touch with the FBI about the research done by the men.

The science is unproven and has never been used in any criminal proceedings, but the group is confident in its findings.

MUCH MORE AT LINK

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Paul Flores to switch attorneys in upcoming hearing - Mustang News

Paul Flores will return to court, expected to discuss a change of counsel during a hearing set for August. In April, Robert Sanger filed a notice of appeal, before stepping down as Paul Flores’ attorney. Harold Mesick will step in for the restitution portion of the Kristin Smart case...

mustangnews.net

Paul Flores to switch attorneys in upcoming hearing​

Paul Flores will return to court, expected to discuss a change of counsel during a hearing set for August.

In April, Robert Sanger filed a notice of appeal, before stepping down as Paul Flores’ attorney.

Harold Mesick will step in for the restitution portion of the Kristin Smart case. Previously, Mesick represented Flores’ father, Ruben Flores, during the Monterey County jury trial.

“Well, that’s true. I will be substituting in for Mr. Sanger to represent Paul specifically for the restitution claim,” Mesick told Mustang News. “This appeal is proceeding and I’m going to look forward to trying to help with the restitution.”

 

[Mel70]

That little son of a b**** won't give up where her body is!!! That makes me so angry!!!!! Just so they have that last tidbit. A big secret only he knows, That is so incredibly important. His importance of is arrogance, Causing mental anguish and control.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Man convicted of killing Kristin Smart is attacked in prison and hospitalized in serious condition

The man convicted of killing a college student who vanished from a California campus more than 25 years ago has been hospitalized after he was attacked in prison

abcnews.go.com

Man convicted of killing Kristin Smart is attacked in prison and hospitalized in serious condition​

The man convicted of killing Kristin Smart, who vanished from a California college campus more than 25 years ago, was hospitalized after he was attacked in state prison, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Paul Flores was taken Wednesday from Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga to an outside hospital where he was in serious condition, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The department didn't confirm that Flores had been attacked, with a spokeswoman saying via email that the circumstances surrounding his injury were under investigation and details wouldn't immediately be released.

His attorney, Harold Mesick, said he was notified by corrections officials that Flores was attacked Wednesday, although he didn't have any details.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Man convicted of killing Kristin Smart is attacked in prison and hospitalized in serious condition

The man convicted of killing a college student who vanished from a California campus more than 25 years ago has been hospitalized after he was attacked in prison

abcnews.go.com

Man convicted of killing Kristin Smart is attacked in prison and hospitalized in serious condition​

The man convicted of killing Kristin Smart, who vanished from a California college campus more than 25 years ago, was hospitalized after he was attacked in state prison, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Paul Flores was taken Wednesday from Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga to an outside hospital where he was in serious condition, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The department didn't confirm that Flores had been attacked, with a spokeswoman saying via email that the circumstances surrounding his injury were under investigation and details wouldn't immediately be released.

His attorney, Harold Mesick, said he was notified by corrections officials that Flores was attacked Wednesday, although he didn't have any details.

I'm really not sure how to feel about this. I am torn about how to feel about this.

I will say he is a guilty convicted murderer. He could have made a deal or at any time through the yearrs given up her remains and location/tried for a deal. He didn't. I guess now he is somewhere where shi*t happens. Where he is was of his own making. It's not the Hilton.

Hopefully they have their eye on him in this outside hospital under 24 hour guard.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Inmate charged with attempted murder in attack on Kristin Smart's killer

Twice-convicted killer Jason Budrow is charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking Paul Flores in prison.

www.courttv.com

Posted at 6:39 PM, December 6, 2023

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A twice-convicted killer has been charged with attempted murder for a prison yard attack on a fellow inmate convicted of the high-profile killing of California college student Kristin Smart, who vanished 27 years ago, prosecutors said Wednesday.

A complaint filed Nov. 30 also charged Jason Richard Budrow, 43, with counts involving crimes by a prisoner and possessing a weapon as well as enhancements for great bodily injury, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors allege that Budrow slashed the neck of inmate Paul Flores with a “manufactured weapon” on Aug. 23 at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga. Flores was hospitalized but returned to the prison two days later.

Flores was recently transferred to the prison to serve a sentence of 25 years to life for the murder of Smart, then 19, who disappeared from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo over Memorial Day weekend in 1996. Flores was arrested in 2021, convicted in 2022 and sentenced last March.

Budrow is serving life terms for strangling a girlfriend in 2010 in Riverside County and the 2021 strangling of a Mule Creek State Prison cellmate, serial killer Roger Reece Kibbe, who was known as the I-5 Strangler in the 1970s and 1980s.

Budrow is scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 8. A telephone message asking if prosecutors knew whether Budrow had legal representation was not immediately returned by the district attorney’s office. Prison rules do not allow calls in to prisoners, and staff do not take messages to inmates.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Inmate charged with attempted murder in attack on Kristin Smart's killer

Twice-convicted killer Jason Budrow is charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking Paul Flores in prison.

www.courttv.com

Posted at 6:39 PM, December 6, 2023

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A twice-convicted killer has been charged with attempted murder for a prison yard attack on a fellow inmate convicted of the high-profile killing of California college student Kristin Smart, who vanished 27 years ago, prosecutors said Wednesday.

A complaint filed Nov. 30 also charged Jason Richard Budrow, 43, with counts involving crimes by a prisoner and possessing a weapon as well as enhancements for great bodily injury, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors allege that Budrow slashed the neck of inmate Paul Flores with a “manufactured weapon” on Aug. 23 at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga. Flores was hospitalized but returned to the prison two days later.

Flores was recently transferred to the prison to serve a sentence of 25 years to life for the murder of Smart, then 19, who disappeared from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo over Memorial Day weekend in 1996. Flores was arrested in 2021, convicted in 2022 and sentenced last March.

Budrow is serving life terms for strangling a girlfriend in 2010 in Riverside County and the 2021 strangling of a Mule Creek State Prison cellmate, serial killer Roger Reece Kibbe, who was known as the I-5 Strangler in the 1970s and 1980s.

Budrow is scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 8. A telephone message asking if prosecutors knew whether Budrow had legal representation was not immediately returned by the district attorney’s office. Prison rules do not allow calls in to prisoners, and staff do not take messages to inmates.

This Budrow guy sounds like bad news. He even strangled a serial killer. Yet he is a killer himself.

It doesn't make it right even if Flores is guilty. A manufactured weapon. California no less.

I don't imagine even guards doing a good job have an easy one in such places with all of these murderers together. And especially as crazy is the world continues to get and no real DP any more there. One murderer of a woman going after another who did the same, imagine that.

I wonder if they ever think not murdering someone in the first place would have been a good idea when they felt they had all the power over some victim and felt such a big man.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Family of presumed murder victim Kristin Smart sues Cal Poly over 1991 case - UPI.com

The family of murder victim Kristin Smart filed a lawsuit Thursday against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, citing "negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and wrongful death."

www.upi.com

JAN. 18, 2024 / 7:42 PM
By Ehren Wynder

Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The family of murder victim Kristin Smart filed a lawsuit Thursday against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, citing "negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and wrongful death."

The lawsuit alleges Cal Poly could have prevented Smart's murder if the school properly investigated her former classmate and murderer, Paul Flores, and disciplined him, as he had been the subject of multiple harassment reports prior to Smart's murder.

"Cal Poly's failures are indefensible, and it must be held accountable to prevent this cycle of callous negligence from ever occurring again," the lawsuit read.

Smart's parents, Stan and Denise Smart, told the San Luis Obispo Tribune that Cal Poly's mishandling of the case exacerbated the trauma of losing their daughter.

"Paul Flores took Kristin's life," Denise Smart told the Tribune. "Cal Poly took ours."

 

[GrandmaBear]

Family of presumed murder victim Kristin Smart sues Cal Poly over 1991 case - UPI.com

The family of murder victim Kristin Smart filed a lawsuit Thursday against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, citing "negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and wrongful death."

www.upi.com

JAN. 18, 2024 / 7:42 PM
By Ehren Wynder

Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The family of murder victim Kristin Smart filed a lawsuit Thursday against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, citing "negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and wrongful death."

The lawsuit alleges Cal Poly could have prevented Smart's murder if the school properly investigated her former classmate and murderer, Paul Flores, and disciplined him, as he had been the subject of multiple harassment reports prior to Smart's murder.

"Cal Poly's failures are indefensible, and it must be held accountable to prevent this cycle of callous negligence from ever occurring again," the lawsuit read.

Smart's parents, Stan and Denise Smart, told the San Luis Obispo Tribune that Cal Poly's mishandling of the case exacerbated the trauma of losing their daughter.

"Paul Flores took Kristin's life," Denise Smart told the Tribune. "Cal Poly took ours."

If all true, I'm all for it. Go get 'em! Multiple harassment reports? Gee if he had been ousted from campus she would be alive today. I'm so disgusted with businesses or other entities that it is all about coverup, PR, preserving selves and avoiding trouble and lawsuits at the expense of others or their safety and wellbeing. Well now, it kind of backfired now on ya didn't it?

Again go GET them if this is true. I'm all for it.

 

[Mel70]

If all true, I'm all for it. Go get 'em! Multiple harassment reports? Gee if he had been ousted from campus she would be alive today. I'm so disgusted with businesses or other entities that it is all about coverup, PR, preserving selves and avoiding trouble and lawsuits at the expense of others or their safety and wellbeing. Well now, it kind of backfired now on ya didn't it?

Again go GET them if this is true. I'm all for it.

Backfired. At the expense of her life. That no matter how many millions you tag them for. It won't being the person back. It's the only thing you can really do to hurt them. I've heard so many, times, Unfortunately, That the families are NOT after money, They would want their loved ones back instead, But that won't happen. They didn't care, File a multi million dollar lawsuit. Then they DO. But only about the money IMO.

 

[Mel70]

Hi @GrandmaBear. My very dear friend.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Backfired. At the expense of her life. That no matter how many millions you tag them for. It won't being the person back. It's the only thing you can really do to hurt them. I've heard so many, times, Unfortunately, That the families are NOT after money, They would want their loved ones back instead, But that won't happen. They didn't care, File a multi million dollar lawsuit. Then they DO. But only about the money IMO.

It's the last thing most want, as you say they of course want their loved one back. But hitting the entity with the only thing they care about, $$ and rep, and not the students in this case, is all one can do to change it or hope to.

If this murdering raping sleazebag was reported many a time and nothing was done then the U deserves this.

I'd hope a suit also names the raping murdering Neanderthal and his father who lucky for him skated free which imo he shouldn't have. He should pay up and give all he worked for and owns to her family and count himself lucky he is not behind bars.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Kristin Smart’s convicted killer Paul Flores stabbed in prison, 9 months after he was slashed by inmate

The violent attack comes less than nine months after Flores was slashed in the neck by a fellow inmate at the same prison.

nypost.com

Snejana Farberov
Published April 12, 2024, 12:57 p.m. ET

The man convicted of murdering missing college student Kirstin Smart was stabbed Wednesday at a California state prison, the second time he has been attacked by another inmate in the past year, officials said.

Paul Flores, 47, who is serving 25 years to life for the 1996 killing, was knifed in the recreation yard at Pleasant Valley State Prison around 3:30 pm, according to a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Prison staffers who witnessed the assault put an end to it without using force but only verbal commands.

Flores was taken to a medical facility to be treated for his wounds and later returned to the prison in fair condition, officials said.

 

[GrandmaBear]

WTH is our system these days. Put an end it it with no force but verbal commands. I guess it was necessary for them to point that out. Also seems that would mean if the person stopped on verbal command, it is easily controlled that way? Not saying it is, or that's true, I am saying how weird it is to state that.

Apparently he is not getting along and knowing how to play nice. He didn't know how with Kristin either. Evil POS. And it isn't like he's a pedo and so I doubt it is over his crime he has problems with other inmates but over his own behavior.

I mean if when a physical stabbing assault, you only need verbal commands to ensure a death doesn't occur before another stab occurs, and not go in and you don't need to immediately separate, I, I can't quite fathom. What were the commands? Were they to the assaulter? Or to someone else. "Guards RELEASE the dogs" Or be "Ready to shoot on command". Yes being a bit sarcastic as this is the oldest thing to put in the news story. So they can control the pop with verbal commands but not stop a stabbing by a makeshfit weapon or real one or possession of one to begin with? Of course they could have raised their baton or level their gun while giving verbal command I guess. So no force but threat was there with a shouted command...

I have no sympathy for him though. I sure don't mean it that way. He was not railroaded and had freedom for way too long. His father should also be paying for his sins but isn't. So justice did not fully occur in this one.