Ambulances arrived at the bottom of the Marsh Street parking structure in Downtown San Luis Obispo on Sept. 14, 2019, to find the body of 21-year-old Atascadero resident Thomas Jodry moments after he fell from the top of the structure. Initially ruled a suicide by the San Luis Obispo Coroner’s Office, Thomas’ death wasn’t immediately […]
Author Archives: Nico Vinuela
Posted inCrime and Courts
Kristin Smart murder trial: Paul Flores’ sentencing date pushed back three months
Editor’s note: Mustang News has covered the People v. Flores murder trial every day from the courthouse. Follow @CPMustangNews on Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Read previous articles about the trial here. Paul Flores’ sentencing for the murder of Kristin Smart will now be held March 10, postponed from the original Dec. 9 date. But the Court will first have […]
Posted inCrime and Courts
Watch: SLO County officials, Smart Family hold press conference post-verdict
Editor’s note: Mustang News has covered the People v. Flores murder trial every day from the courthouse. Follow @CPMustangNews on Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Read previous articles about the trial here. The family of Kristin Smart, reporters and county officials gathered in a Monterey County press room on Tuesday after what Kristin’s father described as an “agonizingly long” wait […]
Posted inCrime and Courts
Paul Flores found guilty in Kristin Smart murder trial, Ruben Flores found not guilty
Editor’s note: The People v. Flores murder trial has been covered each day by Mustang News. Follow @CPMustangNews on Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Read previous articles about the trial here. Paul Flores was found guilty on Tuesday of the 1996 murder of Kristin Smart. His father, Ruben Flores — accused of helping his son hide and bury Smart’s body — […]
Posted inCrime and Courts
Ruben Flores’ jury reaches verdict in Kristin Smart murder trial
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is updated as more information becomes available. Ruben Flores’ jury reached a verdict Monday morning, marking the end of jury deliberations for the People v. Ruben Flores case. Paul Flores’ jury has yet to reach a verdict. After they do, both verdicts will be read back-to-back outside […]
Posted inCrime and Courts
Ruben Flores verdict deliberations to restart after juror excused for violation
Editor’s note: The People v. Flores murder trial is covered each day by Mustang News. Follow @CPMustangNews on Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Read previous articles about the trial here. A male juror in Ruben Flores’ jury was excused from the Kristin Smart murder trial on Thursday after seeking “spiritual guidance” from his priest — forcing the jury to restart their […]
Posted inCrime and Courts
Kristin Smart murder case now awaiting verdicts 26 years later
Editor’s note: The People v. Flores murder trial is covered each day by Mustang News. Follow @CPMustangNews on Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Read previous articles about the trial here. Closing statements for the trial of Ruben Flores took place on Wednesday — marking the last time that either jury will be in the courtroom before the verdicts in the Kristin […]
Posted inCrime and Courts
Kristin Smart murder trial: Jury deliberations begin for Paul Flores’ verdict
Editor’s note: The People v. Flores murder trial is covered each day by Mustang News. Follow @CPMustangNews on Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Read previous articles about the trial here. Paul Flores’ jury is now in verdict deliberations after closing arguments concluded Tuesday afternoon. Closing statements will be presented to Ruben Flores’ jury on Wednesday. Paul Flores’ jury was dismissed from […]
Posted inCrime and Courts
Kristin Smart murder trial: Closing statements begin on behalf of Paul Flores and the prosecution
Editor’s note: The People v. Flores murder trial is covered each day by Mustang News. Follow @CPMustangNews on Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Read previous articles about the trial here. Closing statements for the Kristin Smart murder trial began on Monday, following the conclusion of the presentation of evidence last week. Prosecutor Christopher Peuvrelle gave his statement to Paul Flores’ jury […]
Posted inCrime and Courts
Kristin Smart murder trial: Presentation of evidence concludes, closing statements to begin on Monday
Editor’s note: The People v. Flores murder trial is covered each day by Mustang News. Follow @CPMustangNews on Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Read previous articles about the trial here. Thursday marked the conclusion of the presentation of evidence for the Kristin Smart murder trial. “You have now heard all of the evidence in this case,” Judge Jennifer O’Keefe told both […]
Posted inCrime and Courts
Kristin Smart murder trial: Defense rests case, juries to return to court Thursday
Editor’s note: The People v. Flores murder trial is covered each day by Mustang News. Follow @CPMustangNews on Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Read previous articles about the trial here. After excusing his last witness on Tuesday, Robert Sanger rested his case on behalf of his client, Paul Flores. “We, as well, rest, Your Honor,” Harold Mesick said on behalf of […]