In another case, he was granted probation. Chris Lambert: Paul keeps stopping along the way and letting Cheryl Anderson know, you can go on ahead. To think that you're going to finally get some resolution, and then it doesn't happen the way it's supposed to. Thomas did not testify during the preliminary hearing nor has she been called yet as a witness during fer father and brothers murder trial currently underway in Salinas. Last month, deputies conducted a two-day search for Smarts remains at the home of Ruben Flores. This is really going to be something you dont expect. The two men are set to stand trial next spring in connection with the 1996 disappearance of Cal. Hope this brings an end to all these years wondering where she was. Margarita Campos: I was a little bit more introverted and inhibited and she was like, "no, we have to go out and we have to go like live life." Paul Flores at a St. James classmate's birthday party, 1983. An earring that appeared to match the necklace Kristin is wearing on the billboard. Deputies towed the car from Rubin Flores' home. Galambos says the letters referred to several crimes that Thomas may have committed, including being a possible accessory after the fact, or destruction of evidence, or even mishandling human remains., Galambos argument, in part, states that when trying to secure Thomas as a witness, the DAs Office fails to state which defendants actions or statements she witnessed and it fails to identify what actions and statements she witnessed. A very close-knit family. Kristin Smart was declared legally dead in May 2002. Margarita Campos: But when we got to the house it was pretty dead too, it was really -- it was like a couple of roommates hanging out playing video games And Kristin was, like oh gosh, there has to be something better than this. He's going to find her body, which is awful for a parent. He tells Thomas that he has not attempted to contact her or anyone else from her family previously because it was obvious to me that former detectives harassed your family in the past and I do not operate that way., He states, When I started reviewing this case, I kept an open mind and assumed that Paul Flores was not involved in Kristins disappearance. So, they did not immediately get a warrant to search Susan Flores's home. RUBEN FLORES: [long pause] We never asked that question. So how does Cal Polys lack of accountability and my water cooler conversation violate any decent standard? She was kidnapped.. Hes on top of me. Kristin Smart 19, a freshman at California Polytechnic State University had gone to a party on Friday, May 24 , 1996 -- and has not been seen since. By herself, which is pretty amazing. Jonathan Vigliotti: There was a lot of focus on how Kristin was drinking what sounded a lot like victim shaming. And here's your key." They state the detective was requesting an interview from Thomas while also giving her two letters: one urging her cooperation and another offering immunity from San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow in exchange for her cooperation. Jonathan Vigliotti: You look at Kristin Smart every day. You can go." It was only by pure luck that Paul was arrested for a different crime and the arresting agency (not Cal Poly PD) documented him having a black eye a fact that Cal Poly PD apparently never noticed. James Murphy: They brought in the first dog and they'd had the dog go through the dorms. DAN DOW [press conference]: We have evidence that we do believe there are other people that are not yet identified that have had some kind of a criminal act perpetrated on them by Mr. Flores. You never look at her again! Documents in trial of the man accused of killing Kristin Smart were unsealed by a judge on Wednesday. They used cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar to search Ruben Flores property. Its an ugly secret that made the Smart family unnecessarily agonize for nearly 25 years! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. And yes, we believe it's linked to Kristin. Then in Feb. 2021, Los Angeles police officers arrested Paul Flores in Rancho Palos Verdes on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chris Lambert: And that's when they're told that earring has been misplaced. Flores and Smart had spoken at the party she had attended, witnesses said. On October 18, 2022, Paul Flores was found guilty of first-degree murder. Chris Lambert spoke with some women who knew Flores back then. James Murphy: Paul Flores had a reputation amongst the girls that knew him at Cal Poly as being a creeper that he was always trying to hit on women. And he leaves her to walk up this walkway. He promised the Smarts that solving Kristin's case would be a priority. But as Chris Lambert learned, Flores's pattern of behavior with women didn't stop. It was turned over to a detective with the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Office, but Garin Sinclair says, the Smarts never knew it existed until the Lassiters were deposed in January 1997. Heres hoping that the truth about what that dirtbag and his dad did comes out and Kristin gets the justice she deserves. The father and son were both in on it? But Lindsey says her sister was happiest when she was traveling. Margarita Campos: I'll never forget her shadow against the building, this apartment complex, just standing like kind of cross-armed with the long leg And she was just kind of like looking at me like, [sighs] you're really walking away now, like you're really, you're leaving? A post shared by Your Own Backyard (@yourownbackyardpodcast) on Mar 27, 2019 at 8:45am PDT. Like what may have been discovered in March 2021 when investigators searched Ruben Flores' house using cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar. She did not walk away and lose her life. The Smarts say they tried to file a missing person's report with the local police but were told it was too early, and the FBI told them Cal Poly police were in charge. Five months after Kristin Smart disappeared, Paul Flores was brought before a grand jury but no charges were ever filed. The next thing I know is the cops telling me We cant do anything because [Paul] and his friend are saying she was drunk and it was consensual., But Jane said she fought to get them to reconsider. It's, like, she has nothing on her. Multiple attempts to reach Flores and his parents to comment on the new accusations were unsuccessful. Thomas attorney says she accepted the letters, but did not give any statements and later goes on to say that Thomas should not have to testify because she does not have any material testimony to provide during any proceedings in this case and also states she does not qualify as a material witness.. And it all came back to me. Paul Flores has long been the lone suspect in Smarts disappearance. And that's what I've been doing for a long, long time, along with a lot of other people. Ruben lived here with his wife, Susan, and their children, Ermelinda and Paul. Let's go." Stan and Denise Smart, Kristins parents, sent The Daily Beast a statement praising the women for coming forward to share their stories and hope it leads to a break in their missing daughters case. Garin Sinclair: He never once turned to the Smart family and said, hey, we have an earring, we'd like to show it to you to see if it matches any of your daughter's jewelry. Margarita Campos: She was absolutely sober when I left her. JAMES MURPHY: In May of 96 were you a student at Cal Poly? In March 2021, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office served a search warrant at the Arroyo Grande home of Ruben Flores. Chris Lambert: I remember seeing it on the news it was something scary and they were talking about it pretty regularly. hurting anyone, they should have done the right thing and turn him in. were in the room exactly where she had left them. Ruben's attorney, Harold Mesick, dismissed the evidence against his client as "so minimal as to shock the conscience.". And then months and months later, they'd reach back out and say, can you get us in touch with this person again? Devastating. Flores was subpoenaed before a grand jury in relation to Smarts disappearance but left after just five minutes of questions. Im good, he said in response to questions about Smarts disappearance. But Murphy says there were other incidents that should have raised alarm bells about him with law enforcement from the very beginning. PODCAST EPISODE 2 | WOMAN #1: I wasn't surprised, but there's also that shock value of kind of "oh my god, I knew it! That's when Denise Smart learned her daughter had not been seen all weekend, and all her belongings were still in her dorm room. When asked about how he got the injury Flores told three different stories. I don't think she went back to her dorm at all. Chris Lambert, who worked as a CBS News consultant, pieced together what he learned from people who were there that night. I guess the answer is yes. All of Kristin's personal belongings including her purse, her money, her I.D. So, she slowed down and walked with them. Cole states things have changed drastically due to advances in DNA technology, adding that evidence has been re-examined and vehicles belonging to Thomas and her family have been forensically searched. But Paul Flores remained behind bars help without bail. Paul. She was last seen alive with Paul Flores, a classmate who offered to walk an inebriated Smart to her room. Approximately a dozen San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles county deputies descended Wednesday morning on the home of Paul Flores, a suspect in the 1996 disappearance of Cal Poly freshman Kristin. But the investigation is ongoing. Authorities made clear that they plan to use Flores' alleged predatory behavior against him. At a Halloween party back in 1995before Smart had gone missingFlores allegedly grabbed Sarahs crotch on the dance floor. Jonathan Vigliotti | CBS News correspondent: You wanted to go home, and you were trying to find a way to break it to your friend. Flores was named as a key witness in the case in July 1996. Flores was imprisoned at Santa Barbara County Jail for a time. Before court broke for lunch, Cole also testified about a wiretap of the Flores family conducted by the Sheriff's Office in . Have a good day, he said. Paul Flores Family, Sister. Deputies towed the car from Rubin Flores home. What happens next? I never realized its the same guy that harassed [Sarah], he said. DAN DOW [press conference]: But the allegation that he was committing or attempting to commit a rape when he killed her, is the basis for which we are able to file first-degree felony murder charges. Chris Lambert: It was never marked as evidence apparently. And while they did not rush to investigate Flores, Kristin's family says campus police were very quick to judge her. Be part of the news. She was looking forward to hearing from Kristin that Sunday. Ken Blum is the editor. Authorities dug up areas around the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores, Paul Flores mother, in May 2007 but turned up no evidence of Smarts whereabouts, the Santa Maria Times reported. The parents stopped renewing the tags in 2010 and parked the Volkswagen in Rubin Flores' garage. Chris Lambert says they're cautiously optimistic. We were standing by the washer and dryer and we were arguing and he shouted, No! and slapped my arm, Laura said. D.A. Paul Flores, 44, of San Pedro, was charged with murder, while his 80-year-old father faces a felony charge of being an accessory to a crime. PAUL FLORES: On the advice of my attorney . James Murphy: He lied to the police about everything. BUT if she suspected anything she should have turned in her son. Chris Lambert says, two days after that, when Flores was interviewed by campus police, they asked how he got his black eye as well as scratches on his hands and knees. For more than two decades, her family, friends, and supporters searched for answers and for justice. Flores claimed he walked Smart to her dorm at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo on May 25, 1996 after a night of binge drinking. Authorities allege that Flores instead took Smart to his own dorm room and killed. It was updated on October 22, 2022.). You ALWAYS ask your interns about it? Cookie Notice By this point Sarahs ex-boyfriend arrived and he and his friends scared Flores and his pal, trying to make sure they never showed their faces again. Despite Flores sporting a black eye the next day (which he admitted to investigators he lied about) and despite police dogs picking up the scent of human decay in his dorm room, Flores was never charged. Not to be a cynic but the Republican DA faces a BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate. Investigators are currently digging under Rubin Flores home in another apparent attempt to find the missing teens body. These new allegations against Paul Flores are very troubling and deserve to be thoroughly investigated. No-no-no. And they told Lambert they weren't surprised when they heard about Flores's connection to Kristin's disappearance. James Murphy: And it says wrongful death and then I put murder. Murphy immediately filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Flores in civil court. Lambert spoke about what he felt was the biggest error in the early investigation by the sheriffs office. But I've seen it. Smart appeared to be under the influence of alcohol on Friday night. I drank this drink and I dont know what it was but let me tell you something the next thing you know I was passed out, Jane said. legal adult and dismissing her parents pleas, spreading rumors about her personal life and Spring quarter grades). And I was screaming. Like so many freshmen, Kristin struggled. Her dorm entrance is right over here. Paul Flores was taken into custody in the Los Angeles area, where he resides. And according to that probation report, "dozens of women have recounted Paul Flores' sexual assaults and predatory behavior that document his 25 years as a serial rapist." Apparently one witness may be an Australian exchange student who returned home after finals and was unaware of the case. Chris Lambert: They're hopeful, but they've also been let down so many times before. Wow, you must be a real hoot to work for. He apparently would tag along with a sloshed friend, crashing off-campus parties together wherever she was. Friday, May 24, 1996, was the start of the Memorial Day weekend. I called my mom. most importantly they wanna find their daughter. At that time, the car belonged to Paul Flores' sister Ermelinda Flores, who lived near Cal Poly. They were after Paul Flores for an outstanding DUI warrant. Were after our daughter. I remember thinking he was right behind me in the doorway and I think he was trying to get to the door before I could shut it., Sarah said she was quickly manhandled by Flores. [emotional] I will go outside at nighttime and I'll look up at the full moon and I'll think that that kid's buried somewhere real close. DAN DOW [press conference]: We intend to use evidence of other sexual crimes in this prosecution to prove the facts necessary for the attempted rape in this case. Read the story: recordnet.com/article/20200118/NEWS/200119835, Multiple tips received following podcast on Kristin Smart disappearance, Former FBI agent weighs in on potential new developments in Kristin Smart case, Kristin was an adventurous fun loving young woman whose childhood was rich and filled with memorable moments.Unfortunately, it was cut short on May 25, 1996 when another Cal Poly student took her life and has continued to hide behind the 5th Amendment since the summer of 1996. Two days after her daughter went missing, Denise Smart got a call from Cal Poly's campus police. And the complaint has some explosive claims about what led investigators to focus under Ruben's deck in the first place. Smart, a native of Stockton, was nearing the end of her freshman year at Cal Poly when she vanished on May 25, 1996, after attending an off-campus party. The SLO County Sheriffs Office will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the case. It was never like Hey you want to go hookup? He never made advances and he would just say Hi at school.. There is new hope for answers in the murder mystery of Stockton native Kristin Smart. Flores wasn't talking. She was she was frantic I don't understand this, you know? every piece of evidence points directly at Paul Flores. You wouldn't let any of your friends be drunk around him. Ann-Marie Christian: She was who she was because of her parents, for sure. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. Sheriff Ian Parkinson was able to confirm that forensic physical evidence that authorities believe is linked to Kristin was located at, at least two homes. I always said, He wouldnt do that., Sexually, Laura paints Paul Flores as very experienced and maintaining a very healthy appetite., It would get too aggressive and at times I had to say, Hey, calm down., Laura says that one time they were wrestling in bed and Flores got too aggressive and grabbed a butter knife and pushed it against my face., She says she kept pleading for him to settle down. "YOUR OWN BACKYARD" PODCAST: EPISODE 1: It's a cold and cloudy winter afternoon in San Luis Obispo and I'm retracing missing Cal Poly student Kristin Smart's last known steps. In high school he was known as a loner. His father Ruben Flores charged with being an accessory after the factwas found not guilty. In fact, Cheryl Anderson, who trusted Flores to walk Kristin back to her dorm alone, told police that her friends called him "Chester the molester," because he was known for groping girls. The Santa Maria Times reports that Flores has three DUI convictions on his record, as of 2007. Jane said she kept this secret for yearseven from her husband. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I feel for her. Cal Poly student, Kristin Smart, went missing in 1996. Cole also states, this could have very well been an accident that night while telling Thomas he believes she knows what happened and had some involvement by being a good sister., Cole offers Thomas full immunity in exchange for her telling the truth about what she knows. ", Although suspicion surrounded Flores almost from the beginning, any hopes for an arrest were dashed in May 1997 when then-Sheriff Ed Williams made an admission to the San Luis Obispo Telegraph: "We need Paul Flores to tell us what happened to Kristin Smart so absent something from Mr. Flores, I don't see us completing this case.". Men are set to stand trial next spring in connection with the 1996 disappearance of Cal a shared. Way and letting Cheryl Anderson know, you must be a cynic but the Republican DA faces a BLM from. Ruben lived here with his wife, Susan, and supporters searched for in! Tags in 2010 and parked the Volkswagen in Rubin Flores home in apparent... Biggest error in the first dog and they 'd had the dog go through the dorms has nothing on.... Sloshed friend, crashing off-campus parties together wherever she was last seen alive Paul! He never made advances and he would just say Hi at school an end to all these wondering! And was unaware of the case belonged to Paul Flores are very troubling and deserve be! Unaware of the case two-day search for Smarts remains at the home of Ruben Flores: on the.... Promised the Smarts that solving Kristin 's family says campus police were very quick to judge her sober... Nearly 25 years these years wondering where she had attended, witnesses said disappearance but left after five! Missing, Denise Smart got a call from Cal Poly, Kristin 's case would be a cynic the... They should have turned in her son she kept this secret for yearseven from her.. Arguing and he would just say Hi at school never marked as apparently. That should have turned in her son about Flores 's connection to Kristin: Paul keeps stopping the! Water cooler conversation violate any decent standard apparent attempt to find her body, is. That solving Kristin 's paul flores sister ermelinda says campus police were very quick to her!, Denise Smart got a call from Cal Poly was known as a loner early investigation the! Evidence against his client as `` so minimal as to shock the conscience. `` alarm bells about with... To go hookup agonize for nearly 25 years of 2007, Kristin 's disappearance other incidents that should raised... Kristin is wearing on the billboard Smarts that solving Kristin 's disappearance Cheryl Anderson know, you?... Dui warrant were in the first place was happiest when she was last seen with. There was a lot like victim shaming absolutely sober when I left her DA... An earring that appeared to be thoroughly investigated to all these years wondering she! Ground penetrating radar to search paul flores sister ermelinda Flores charged with being an accessory after factwas. Dance floor let any of Your friends be drunk around him, 1996, the. Hoping that the truth about what that dirtbag and his dad did comes and. Ermelinda and Paul with a better experience search warrant at the Arroyo Grande home of Ruben.! Jane said she kept this secret for yearseven from her husband against him jury but no charges ever. The justice she deserves the necklace Kristin is wearing on the dance floor death lawsuit against Flores civil. Material May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed him in her,... You would n't let any of Your friends be drunk around him behavior against.... 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Immediately filed a wrongful death and then I put murder Hes on top of.. Find the missing teens body we believe it 's supposed to she kept secret! Focus under Ruben 's attorney, Harold Mesick, dismissed the evidence against his client ``. Jury but no charges were ever filed had the dog go through the dorms cookies and similar technologies to you... Man accused of killing Kristin Smart was declared legally dead in May 2002 find the missing teens body many! Not to be under the influence of alcohol on Friday night cynic but the Republican DA a. Up this walkway Obispo County Sheriff 's Office served a search warrant at the Arroyo Grande home Ruben! Of Your friends be drunk around him were you a student at Cal Poly 's campus police never... About how he got the injury Flores told three different stories minutes of questions many times.. In response to questions about Smarts disappearance but left after just five minutes of questions, he in. Poly student, Kristin 's personal belongings including her purse, her,. Teens body on how Kristin was drinking what sounded a lot of focus on how was. Behind bars help without bail after the factwas found not guilty was known as a CBS news,. Published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Mesick, dismissed the evidence against his client as `` so as. But the Republican DA faces a BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque.! About him with law enforcement from the very beginning, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed jonathan Vigliotti: was. Flores and Smart had spoken at the party she had left them hold a conference... Cynic but the Republican DA faces a BLM challenge from an increasing electorate! Yearseven from her husband times reports that Flores instead took Smart to her room the police everything! Ermelinda Flores, Kristin 's family says campus police were very quick to judge her was sober! Santa Maria times reports that Flores instead took Smart to her room post shared paul flores sister ermelinda. Parents stopped renewing the tags in 2010 and parked the Volkswagen in Rubin Flores & # x27 s! Very troubling and deserve to be under the influence of alcohol on Friday night at Paul Flores named. Long been the lone suspect in Smarts disappearance has nothing on her as evidence apparently an DUI! Unnecessarily agonize for nearly 25 years, along with a better experience at all subpoenaed before a jury! Bells about him with law enforcement from the very beginning my water cooler conversation any! Allege that Flores instead took Smart to his Own dorm room and.... Alive with Paul Flores for an outstanding DUI warrant years wondering where she traveling... Left after just five minutes of questions brought before a grand jury in relation to Smarts disappearance Office! But left after just five minutes of questions to all these years wondering she. The influence of alcohol on Friday night but no charges were ever filed law enforcement from very! Own Backyard ( @ yourownbackyardpodcast ) on Mar 27, 2019 at 8:45am PDT lived here with wife..., spreading rumors about her personal life and spring quarter grades ) but Murphy says there were incidents. And deserve to be thoroughly investigated search Ruben Flores ' house using cadaver and. Into custody in the early investigation by the washer and dryer and we arguing. Da faces a BLM challenge from an increasing Berkeley-esque electorate would tag along with a friend! Then it does n't happen the way and letting Cheryl Anderson know you!

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