Opening statements for the Kristin Smart murder trial are set to begin Monday morning in Monterey County Superior Court. Paul Flores is charged with Smart’s murder, while his father, Ruben Flores, is charged with accessory after the murder. Both men were charged in April of 2021, almost 25 years after Smart disappeared as a Cal […]
Tag: kristin smart
Posted inOpinion
Kristin Smart case update: Pretrial begins June 6, trial set for July
The Kristin Smart murder case – People v. Flores – is set to begin pretrial motions in Monterey County on June 6, according to an online court calendar. The trial will now begin July 6, after being pushed back about a month later than anticipated. Presiding Judge Craig van Rooyen ruled to move forward with […]
Posted inNews
“It felt like a turning point”: Cal Poly professors recount the impact Kristin Smart has had on campus over 26 years
Phil Bailey has seen many things happen during his 53-year tenure at Cal Poly: the changing of Cal Poly’s name as California Polytechnic State University, the opening of the Robert E. Kennedy Library and the 1990 Poly Royal riots. But one aspect of Cal Poly’s history that has been on his mind for the past […]
Posted inNews
Flores’ trial for murder of Kristin Smart moved to Monterey County
The trial of Paul and Ruben Flores is being moved to Monterey County after Judge Craig van Rooyen decided that the trial would not be fair and impartial in San Luis Obispo County. All parties discussed the possibility of two counties being available for trial, ultimately choosing Monterey. van Rooyen said he reached out to […]
Posted inKristin Smart
San Luis Obispo County will no longer hold trial of Flores’ for murder of Kristin Smart
Paul and Ruben Flores’ murder trial will not take place in San Luis Obispo County, presiding judge Craig van Rooyen ruled earlier Wednesday morning. The reasoning for van Rooyen’s decision was mostly attributed to the notoriety of the case in the county. He said that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Flores’ will not […]
Posted inNews
Paul Flores’ attorney to request change of venue in Kristin Smart trial
Paul and Ruben Flores’ council are planning to propose a motion for a change of venue, requesting the trial of the Flores’ at a court not in San Luis Obispo County. Presiding Judge Craig van Rooyen discussed the planning for the motion at a pre-trial conference on Wednesday. The court will reconvene on March 30 […]
Posted inNews
Flores’ motion to dismiss the ruling to go to trial for murder of Kristin Smart denied
Paul and Ruben Flores’ defense’s motion to dismiss their case, preventing it from going to trial, was denied at a Jan. 21 hearing. Paul and Ruben Flores are being tried for the murder and accessory to the murder, respectively, of former Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. Smart disappeared on May 25, 1996 after walking back […]
Posted inKristin Smart
Paul and Ruben Flores’ trial for murder of Kristin Smart to start April 25
Paul and Ruben Flores both pleaded not guilty this morning to the murder and accessory to the murder of Kristin Smart, respectively. Presiding Judge Craig van Rooyen set the date of the trial to start on April 25. A hearing date for a pre-trial conference has been set for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 6. […]
Posted inAudio, Features, Kristin Smart, Multi-Media, News
The Kristin Smart Trial: A Q&A with podcast host Chris Lambert
Mustang News reporter Abigail O’Branovich sat down with Chris Lambert, the host of the “Your Own Backyard” podcast, who has been reporting at the preliminary hearing, and soon trial, for the Kristin Smart case. Lambert’s Hallway Blog has kept his listeners informed and “in the seat next to him” as he attempts to bring justice […]
Posted inNews
Paul and Ruben Flores to go to trial for murder of Kristin Smart
Editors note: the story was edited to restructure the paragraphs and a few language modifications were made. After a weeks long preliminary trial, it was decided this morning that Paul and Ruben Flores will be tried for the murder and accessory to murder, respectively, of Kristin Smart. Presiding Judge Craig van Rooyen said that the […]
Posted inOpinion
WOW should include Kristin Smart to educate students and honor her legacy
As a freshman, I walked everywhere with an unjust amount of confidence and sense of safety. I lived in North Mountain and my friend’s dorm, where I spent a majority of my time at night, was in Yakʔitʸutʸu, exactly half a mile away from mine. Every night I would make the walk back to my […]