But every Sunday when she called her parents, they encouraged her to stick it out. Smart was declared dead in 2002. I need you to listen to everything they say so we can punch holes in it. Nic Coury / AP. Jonathan Vigliotti | CBS News correspondent: You wanted to go home, and you were trying to find a way to break it to your friend. Ms. Smarts family said they had faith in the justice system, comforted in the knowledge that Kristin has been held in the hearts of so many and that she has not been forgotten.. Lambert began looking into what happened to Kristin, collecting articles and documents, chasing down leads and tracking down anyone with information. Chris Lambert spoke with some women who knew Flores back then. The evidentiary hearing is underway and witnesses are testifying in front of Superior Court Judge Craig van Rooyen about Flores interactions with Smart. Chris Lambert: Everything else, he took the Fifth Amendment. Back in May 1996, Kristin Smart was finishing her freshman year at California Polytechnic State University better known as Cal Poly. Flores was first interviewed by Cal Poly police investigators near the end of May 1996, according to The San Luis Obispo Tribune, and the Cal Poly police didnt search his room until June 10th. True crime podcasting is not something that particularly captivated me, Lambert told Rolling Stonelast year. Kristin Denise Smart (born February 20, 1977 [1] [6] -declared legally dead May 25, 2002) was an American woman who was found to have been murdered by Paul Flores at the end of her freshman year on the campus of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). Onuma was evicted from a Kaneohe, Hawaii residence after his connection to the Kristen Modafferi . Kristin Smart went missing on May 25, 1996 while attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and has not been heard from since. Also included is the result of a February 4th, 2020 search of Paul Flores San Pedro home, where San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs investigators seized electronic devices that featured videos showing Flores having sex with seemingly incapacitated women. Defense attorney Robert Sanger, in turn, tries to poke holes in Flemmings recollections. These charges mark a major milestone, Dow says in a statement. And DNA evidence could not be found linking any other evidence to Kristin. It's just a motivator for me. Chris Lambert says they're cautiously optimistic. Chris Lambert: He actually hit his eye on his steering wheel in the middle of the night while changing his stereo. The day after the arrests, Dan Dow, the San Luis Obispo County district attorney, said that Paul Flores had caused the death of Ms. Smart while in the commission of, or attempted, rape. Ruben Flores helped to hide her remains, he said. Three more witnesses are expected to take the stand on Thursday, including two cadaver dog handlers.___. Murphy and his wife, Garin Sinclair, agreed to take the case pro bono promising to go after Paul Flores and put pressure on the sheriff's office. The sheriff's office seized the trailer and Det. Previously sealed documents related to the case become available to the public that explain the rape charges Peurelle attempted to add against Paul Flores. Susan Flores and her boyfriend were never charged in the case. James Murphy: And it says wrongful death and then I put murder. Kristen Modafferi. We are now one step closer to justice for Kristin. Flores and his parents have always maintained that he had nothing to do with Smarts disappearance. Book Author Jenn is a lawyer-turned-author and true crime writer. The hearing began August 2 and is expected to last into at least next week. Kristen Deborah Modafferi (born June 1, 1979; disappeared June 23, 1997) is an American woman who, in the early summer of 1997, disappeared in mysterious circumstances after leaving her work at the Crocker Galleria Mall in San Francisco, California. James Murphy: Every day. Additionally, the documents include information about a March 15th, 2021 search by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office of Ruben Flores Arroyo Grande property that included ground-penetrating radar. On day two, August 3rd, a close friend of Smarts from college, Steven Flemming, tells the court that Flores had interacted with Smart before the party they both attended prior to her disappearance. Twenty-five years after Smart went missing, a prime suspect is charged with murder. 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! Ruben's attorney, Harold Mesick, dismissed the evidence against his client as "so minimal as to shock the conscience.". Ruben Flores, was arrested at his home on the same day and was charged with being an accessory after the fact. She was she was frantic I don't understand this, you know? Just weeks later, Kristin's frustrated parents contacted James Murphy, a local civil attorney. During Tuesday's hearing, San Luis Obispo County. The judge rules that the DA cannot be disqualified for wearing purple clothing. James Murphy: They're interested in seeing Paul Flores get convicted and Ruben Flores get held accountable. Paul Flores was ordered held without bail Monday. Paul Flores is charged with the murder of Kristin Smart, who disappeared from Cal Poly in 1996. Cole went to his White Court home to collect it on May 19, 2021. There is no evidence of a murder and no evidence of a rape, Sanger added. JAMES MURPHY: Would you state your full name for the record please. Murphy has filed a new civil suit against Ruben Flores for the intentional infliction of emotional distress. Kristen has never been found. The defense wants to suppress some of these searches, though, claiming that they were done illegally or without warrants. Podcaster Lambert will not be called to the stand during the Kristin Smart murder hearing. Just very involved with their children. It is also what the Smarts have been waiting for for more than a quarter of a century. Ms. Smarts acquaintances were interviewed. most importantly they wanna find their daughter. She withdrew money from the bank, a surveillance camera capturing what are . PAUL FLORES: On the advice of my attorney, I refuse to answer that question based on the fifth amendment of the United States Constitution. Lindsey Smart Stewart: I think they're, like, carrying boulders on their back. She and all who have worked so hard toward this day deserve nothing less.. You can go." The next month, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office took over from the Cal Poly police as the lead investigators. The Kristin Smart disappearance: After 26 years, Paul Flores is convicted of murder. Kristen Modafferi, Kristin Smart & Kent Jacobs. Ms. Smart, 19, was a freshman at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo when she disappeared in 1996. A California jury has found Paul Flores, the man accused of the 1996 murder of Kristin Smart, guilty of first-degree murder, according to a news release from the San Luis Obispo County District. Marital Status: Single Characteristics: Caucasian female with brown hair and eyes. IE 11 is not supported. PODCAST EPISODE 3: Something shiny catches her eye next to the front driver side tire. to California to search for Kristen Modafferi. 7,781 days.. That is all it took. Plans & Pricing . Det. Defense Attorney Sanger calls the move a stunning lack of objectivity.. And six months later, when Flores was deposed by James Murphy for the Smart's civil suit, he kept quiet. But Mary Lassiter says the earring matched the necklace Kristin is seen wearing on the billboard. or even her keys. But as Chris Lambert learned, campus police did not act right away. I didn't know how many people were gonna listen. Kristen has facial dimples. Paul and Ruben Flores appear at the San Luis Obispo Superior Court for the first time, at which time Judge Craig van Rooyen denies Deputy District Attorney Christopher Peuvrelles request to add two rape charges against Paul, according to The Tribune of San Luis Obispo. SHERIFF IAN PARKINSON [at press conference]: Forensic physical evidence was located. But the Flores's have fought back, suing the Smarts for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Despite the fact that law enforcement had collected substantial evidence that Kristin Smart may have had reason not to return to her dorm room after leaving (fellow party-goers) Cheryl (Manzer) Anderson and Paul Flores and despite the fact that they had collected substantial evidence that there were multiple potential suspects who stalked, harassed or otherwise had conflicts with Kristin Smart, law enforcement made an early choice to change their focus to murder and to Paul Flores as the only suspect, Sanger wrote in a defense motion. She didn't think that was OK. The last person to see her alive,. James Murphy: Having a black eye doesn't make you guilty of anything but if the person you were with disappeared from the planet that's physical evidence. But further investigation of the Flores's two trucks seemed impossible. James Murphy: they let the dog in, the dog makes a beeline to the bed of Paul Flores. 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? Classes were difficult, she was trying to fit in, and she missed her family. Kristen was in her first year at Cal Poly when she vanished in 1996. Once, he says, Flores was lurking in the lobby of Smarts dorm at 1 a.m.; another time, he says he saw the man in Smarts dorm room. The case recently reentered the public eye with the 2019 launch of the popular true-crime podcast, Your Own Backyard, hosted by musician Chris Lambert, who has spent his life haunted by a missing persons billboard featuring Smarts face. And they told Lambert they weren't surprised when they heard about Flores's connection to Kristin's disappearance. The arrests of the father and son came after investigators using ground-penetrating radar and cadaver dogs discovered evidence connected directly to Smarts death last month during a search at Ruben Flores home, authorities said. On Monday, he questioned why investigators needed to keep searching for evidence after making arrests. Ruben Flores, 80, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of accessory after the murder for hiding Smart's body after his son allegedly killed her. In 2011, the Smarts hoped those boulders would become a little lighter when Ian Parkinson became the . I didnt understand why. The day after my sister disappeared, Paul Flores had a black eye and scratches on him. Then, in 2011, Ian Parkinson was elected sheriff. Cadaver dogs were sent into Paul Floress dorm room. But the investigation is ongoing. Judge van Rooyen announced in April that the trial would be moved to Monterey County, about 140 miles north of San Luis Obispo, after the defense team requested the change of venue because of extensive publicity around the case. All of Kristin's personal belongings including her purse, her money, her I.D. Chris Lambert: I think that might have been the biggest misstep that investigators have made to this day. In high school he was known as a loner. Four months later, while attempting to reconcile, Susan rented out her house in Arroyo Grande. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says. I guess the answer is yes. He says Smart seemed uncomfortable but was too nice to ask the boy to leave. Paul Flores and his father both pleaded not guilty to all charges at their arraignment. Specifically, that they had Paul's white Nissan pickup in their possession. Kristin's mother, Denise Smart, spent Memorial Day weekend at a swim meet with her two younger kids. SHERIFF IAN PARKINSON [to reporters]: It's been a puzzle and it's a very slow process to find each of those little pieces some of that information came to light through the podcast many of you are familiar with. Any evidence that might have been there was long gone. So had Margarita Campos, who lived in the next room in Muir Hall. We want to hear it. The jury hearing Paul Floress case began deliberations after closing arguments on Oct. 4. He says they are Ruben's ex-wife Susan and her boyfriend. His father Ruben Flores charged with being an accessory after the factwas found not guilty. She feared for her life, so did not tell anyone at the time or for years after. Cole also testified that the Flores family was wiretapped for 30 days starting on January 5, 2020. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. A very close-knit family. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. to find the next challenge. He has denied any involvement. Ruben Flores and his estranged wife Susan have always denied any role in Kristin Smart's disappearance. James Murphy: I'm not at liberty to describe how it was documented. Chris Lambert: I wish I knew why. Investigators in Kristin Smart case serve search warrant at the home of the prime suspect's father Smart was last seen near her California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly) dorm, but she. The 18- year old coed from North Carolina was taking a summer photography class at the University of Califorina Berkeley when she vanished June 23rd, 1997. He never expected it would be a hit, but his podcast caught the attention of millions of listeners and sparked new interest in this decades-old unsolved case. He had a smirk when he said it, like it was a joke, she says. to search on and near the Cal Poly campus. Like what may have been discovered in March 2021 when investigators searched Ruben Flores' house using cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar. Billie Eilish Explains Her Complicated Relationship With Social Media: 'I Don't Look at It Anymore', Theres no evidence of a sex crime in the charged crime (the murder case) itself, van Rooyen says. Jonathan Vigliotti: There was a lot of evidence that could have been gathered, that wasn't. In October 2022, Paul Flores, the man long suspected in her disappearance, was found guilty of murder. / CBS News, (This story previously aired on May 8, 2021. They havent revealed what was found but returned to the yard for additional digging after the arrests. Van Rooyen saying that his release could result in great bodily harm to the public. I don't know if Kristin knew anybody there. Greg Fisher and Michelle Fanucci are the development producers. The two are charged in connection with the death of Cal Poly freshman Kristin Smart. On April 19, father and son each pleaded not guilty, according to The Associated Press. In March, the Oakland Police Department released a statement saying that it had worked with the FBI and found no evidence indicating Durst was involved. Paul Flores is charged with first-degree murder and is accused of killing Smart while attempting to rape her. Peterson. That turned out to be college. That's been our goal. D.A. Ruben Flores was acquitted by a separate jury. He also said that law enforcement leaked information to "Your Own Backyard" podcaster Chris Lambert. Denise Pearce: The investigation was completely botched by the campus police. Ian Parkinson: Yes. Denise Pearce says that was a crushing blow for the Smart family. She was pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Kristen Modafferi was last seen on the afternoon of June 23, 1997, at the coffee shop where she was working in the Crocker Galleria Mall in San Francisco, California. . As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Cole also talked about his interview with Jennifer Hudson in November 2019. Mesick argued there were many innocent explanations why soil had previously been dug up in the yard. Please enter valid email address to continue. For more than two decades, her family, friends, and supporters searched for answers and for justice. James Murphy: To see them in custody was a feeling of great joy for me. It also expounds on several other alleged rapes as well as unwanted sexual advances. Peterson may or may not have been at the party Smart disappeared after. That technology uncovered a soil disturbance under the deck as well as four soil samples that tested positive for human blood; an April evacuation also tested positive for blood. The elder Flores is charged with accessory after the fact to the crime of murder for allegedly helping Paul conceal Smarts body. Paul Flores, right, in court with his attorney Richard Hutton in 1996. But Paul Flores remained behind bars help without bail. (Pool photo by Dave Minsky/Santa Maria Times). Defense lawyers have criticized the evidence used to arrest both men last week. There was early mistakes made that you can't recover from when you're missing those vital pieces. Chadwell answered no. On April 13, 2021, almost 25 years after Kristin Smart went missing, longtime suspect Paul Flores, 44, was arrested at his home in San Pedro, California, and charged with murder. James Murphy: That suggests that something bad happened in Paul Flores's dorm room. 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. She loved swimming and skiing. Chris Lambert: It's mostly frat guys from the Kappa Chi fraternity. Chris Lambert: I personally think that wherever Kristin went, Paul was there with her. Paul Flores, 44, has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. Jonathan Vigliotti: They thought she was off possibly having fun. But to fully understand Chris Lambert's contribution, you have to go back to the beginning. PODCAST EPISODE 4: At 8 a.m. on June 19th, 2000, a team of sheriff's investigators knocks on the front door of Susan Flores's East Branch Street home. After apparently becoming intoxicated, Smart headed back to her dorm with fellow partiers Tim Davis and Cheryl Anderson. Ruben will be released on bail that he can afford. Oct. 18, 2022 In the spring of 1996, Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old college student, left an off-campus party in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and walked home to her dormitory. They're known for being a really safe school.". Kristen Modaferri Observer file Family and friends of a Charlotte woman who has been missing for nearly two decades are awaiting results after a possible break in the case came Thursday.. He said a backhoe had excavated a trench to dump soil that was removed to lay a nearby foundation. Paul Flores may have wanted a fresh start in Southern California, but Chris Lambert says, he could not seem to break old habits. Books from this author. He was required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet. People are watching Ruben Flores and Susan Flores and Paul Flores. He wouldn't answer a single thing. Jonathan Vigliotti: And that weighs on you. Chris Lambert: I don't think she ever imagined that Kristin would end up dead by the end of the night. Chris Lambert and it worked. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, via Associated Press. That's when Cole said Ruben asked why they would also be collecting DNA from Susan Flores and her boyfriend and Ruben told him, "They did not commit a felony, only I did.". Unsealed court documents in the Kristin Smart murder case include allegations of a discovery of human blood and witnesses who claim to have seen suspicious . Chris Lambert: As they describe it, Paul Flores just sort of appears out of nowhere. I think they're just waiting to see what the outcome is going to be. 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. Margarita Campos: I mean, she was gone. And while they did not rush to investigate Flores, Kristin's family says campus police were very quick to judge her. Paul invoked the Fifth Amendment when the DAs office subpoenaed him to testify before a grand jury in 1996 and after the Smarts filed a $40 million wrongful-death lawsuit against him; during a 1997 deposition, he again pleaded the Fifth. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "48 Hours" looks back to their arrests and how the saga began. every piece of evidence points directly at Paul Flores. putting murder on the lawsuit was sending a message to Paul Flores and his family, that we believe that he killed Kristin and that we're coming for him. Let's go." As of 2021, Kristen Modafferi's case remains unsolved. Chris Lambert: The only thing he would confirm on tape is that his name is Paul Flores. The excavation below his deck showed damning evidence that a body had been buried in that location and then recently moved, prosecutor Christopher Peuvrelle said. In addition, the documents include a phone tap from January 2020 in which Pauls mother, Susan, tells her son: The other thing I need you to do is to start listening to the podcast. Chris Lambert: There was a man climbing her trellis and trying to get inside her balcony, very intoxicated and refusing to leave. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken.
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