Paul Flores found guilty of first-degree murder of Kristin Smart 

Paul’s father, Ruben Flores, found not guilty of being an accessory to the murder

– After a three-month trial, a Monterey County jury has unanimously found Paul Flores guilty of the first-degree murder of Kristin Smart, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office. Paul’s father, Ruben Flores, was found not guilty of being an accessory to Kristin’s murder.

Smart was a Cal Poly freshman when she was reported missing in May 1996. A 25-year investigation ensued, resulting in the 2021 arrest and prosecution of Paul and Ruben Flores. At trial the jury heard testimony that Smart was last seen walking towards her dormitory with Paul Flores after leaving an off-campus party.

The jury heard evidence that a clandestine grave was located beneath the deck of the home of Ruben Flores, believed to have previously held Smart’s body. Smart’s remains have not been recovered. Additionally, the jury heard from two women that, in the years following the murder of Kristin, Paul Flores drugged them and engaged in sex acts with them against their will and while they were so intoxicated that they were incapable of giving legal consent.

“The impact that Kristin’s disappearance and its investigation have had on the Smart family and our community, spanning a quarter century, is profound,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “We thank them for the tremendous trust and patience they have placed in the investigation and prosecution of this terrible crime. This verdict provides some sense of justice for Kristin, the Smarts, and our community. Today, justice delayed is not justice denied.”

This conviction is the result of a tremendous collaborative effort of more than a dozen local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies over the span of 25 years, but most importantly, the perseverance of the Smart family.

“On behalf of the San Luis Obispo County team, we thank the Smart family for their steadfast pursuit of justice for Kristin,” said Deputy District Attorney Christopher Peuvrelle. “Their strength has inspired a community. We appreciate the witnesses in this case who came forward to reveal the truth about what happened to Kristin that cold night in May of 1996. Many endured years of guilt, frustration, and anger, yet maintained their dignity and focus on the truth. Lastly, we want victims everywhere to know their voices will be heard and that there are people in the Justice System who will never stop fighting for them.”

“The District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the witnesses and other testifying victims in this case,” said the DA in a press release:

Each showed tremendous courage in coming forward to testify after carrying trauma for so many years. We thank the jurors for their focused attention over a three-month trial and for their valuable time spent in careful deliberation of the facts of the case.

We acknowledge the tireless efforts of Chris Lambert in persistently and compassionately keeping the memory of Kristin alive, through the podcast Your Own Backyard. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni and her team for providing physical and technical support throughout the trial.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson released the following statement in response to the verdict:

I am extremely pleased with the jury’s decision today to convict Paul Flores for the murder of Kristin Smart.

I am disappointed, however, for the acquittal of Ruben Flores as an accessory for helping conceal the crime. Even so, that does not temper my profound gratitude for the verdict against Paul Flores.

We thank the jury for their dedicated service. My thanks also to District Attorney Dan Dow and Deputy District Attorney Chris Peuvrelle for the successful prosecution of this case. I also want to take this time to thank all the members of the Sheriff’s Office who worked on this case over the years. Because of you and your tireless commitment, we are able to bring this case to a successful resolution and a verdict that is right and just.

My thoughts now are with the Smart family. I made a vow to them many years ago, that we would not let Kristin’s memory be forgotten. Nor would we let her killer go unpunished. I thank them for their patience and support during this most difficult of times.

This has been a very long case. A long trial. And a long road to justice. But there is no true justice until Kristin is reunited with her family. This investigation will not be closed until we find Kristin.

As I mentioned when I announced the arrests in this case, it is my hope that we are able to bring some closure to the Smart family. Peace to our community. And justice, once and for all, for Kristin.

– Sheriff Ian Parkinson

Paul Flores faces 25 years to life in prison for the murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Monterey County Superior Court, Salinas Branch, Courtroom 4.

Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong offered comment Tuesday on the guilty verdict against Paul Flores in his trial over the disappearance of Kristin Smart in 1996.

“Kristin Smart’s disappearance is a tragic part of our Cal Poly community’s history, and our university has closely watched the case, hoping throughout for justice for Kristin and resolution for her family,” Armstrong said. “Today’s guilty verdict is a welcome development in the pursuit of justice, and our university community hopes this brings some comfort and a measure of resolution to Kristin’s loved ones.

“Our thoughts continue to be with Denise and Stan Smart and family.

“On behalf of the entire university community, I offer our thanks to Sheriff Ian Parkinson, all law enforcement investigators, District Attorney Dan Dow, and the prosecutors who have pursued the case. We also wish to join many across California and the U.S. in thanking Chris Lambert for his efforts.”

The university is providing support services for campus community members who may be feeling a range of emotions in response to the verdicts.

Students can find support through Campus Health & Wellbeing, including both Safer and Counseling Services:

• Counseling Services will hold a drop-in support space on Oct. 19, from 1-2 pm via Zoom.
• Safer has same-day availability to meet with a confidential advocate or invite an advocate to an existing meeting.
• A student-led vigil is being planned for Friday. For more information, follow Safer’s Instagram page, @calpolysafer.
• In addition, Safer is offering additional information and chances to get involved in Dating Violence Action month in October. See: https://safer.calpoly.edu/DVAM.

Employees can find information on the university’s Employee Assistance Program: https://afd.calpoly.edu/hr/employee-resources/work-life.

The investigation was led by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. This investigation was brought to completion through the unwavering determination of Sheriff Ian Parkinson and his team who made the search for the truth a top priority.

The case was prosecuted by San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Christopher Peuvrelle along with James “J.T.” Camp, Assistant Chief Investigator for the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, and Clint Cole, Senior Detective with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution team included Paralegal Rebecca Cripe, Victim-Witness Assistance Center Assistant Director Beth Raub, Witness Coordinators Eloiza Basinger and Kellie Navarro, Deputy District Attorneys Crystal Seiler and Mike Frye, and many others.