Joran van der Sloot Charged with Murder of Stephany Flores

By: Edecio Martinez, Kevin Hayes
Topics: Daily Blotter

Joran Van der Sloot over photos of U.S. teen Natalie Holloway (left), and 21-year-old Stephany Flores. (CBS/AP)

LIMA, Peru (CBS/AP) Joran van der Sloot has been charged with murder in the slaying of 21-year-old Stephany Flores.

PICTURES: Joran van der Sloot
PICTURES: Stephany Flores

Peruvian judge Juan Buendia has ordered van der Sloot jailed on murder and robbery charges, and described van der Sloot as having acted with "ferocity and great cruelty."

Police say van der Sloot smashed in the face of Lima business student Stephany Flores, whom he met playing poker at a casino, after taking her to his hotel room on May 30. They say he then strangled her, threw her to the floor and emptied her wallet.

Buendia issued the order before dawn Friday, instructing penal authorities to place the Dutchman in a penitentiary pending trial.

Police say van der Sloot gave a remarkably complete confession in the beating and strangling death of Stephany Flores. But van der Sloot's attorney, Maximo Altez, said Thursday that his client's confession was void on the grounds that he made it in the presence of a defense lawyer who was appointed by police.

The chief of Peru's criminal police, Gen. Cesar Guardia, disagrees, saying that not only was van der Sloot properly represented by his government-appointed defense attorney, but the Dutch translator present during the interrogation was assigned by the Dutch Embassy.

"The incriminatory elements were so powerful that he had to confess," Guardia said, adding that the evidence included blood stains found on van der Sloot's clothing.

According to La Republica, van der Sloot admitted to police that he broke Flores's neck after Flores, without permission, took his laptop and found out he was believed to be involved in the disappearance of Holloway.

If tried and convicted on murder charges, van der Sloot would face from 15 to 35 years in prison.

Van der Sloot has been arrested twice in connection with the disappearance of American Natalee Holloway, who vanished while on vacation in Aruba, but has never been charged. He is also facing extortion and wire fraud charges in Alabama stemming from an alleged plot to reveal information regarding the location of Natalee Holloway's body in exchange for $250,000.

Complete Coverage of Joran van der Sloot on Crimesider

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by Mr_Christopher June 14, 2010 10:45 AM EDT: CBS, please track down and interview the Kalpoe brothers! No one has interviewed Satish Kalpoe or Deepak Kalpoe since van der Sloot has been under arrest. Why not? They might be willing to talk now that Joran is safely behind bars, so whatever influence he had on them previously, he obviously no longer has.; Reply to this comment


by forumcomments June 12, 2010 6:24 PM EDT: This is a sad situation. How many failures do the FBIdiots get before charges are brought against them for criminal incompetance. The Fort Hood shooter was monitored sending emails to a known terrorist leader for months and nothing was done to stop this maniac from doing what he did. He was at least consorting with the enemy. The time sqaure bomber of late was left alone for 90 minutes armed and then bought a ticket and went on a plane for Pakistan before the idiots realized what was happening. Some say it is better to be lucky than good. I think these fools need to be held accountable for their mistakes given the situations. I am surprised there haven't been more law suits against these fools. There is another saying that the siutations we know about amount to a samll percenatge of all the mistakes made by this tax payer funded group of fools. Fire all the bumbs.; Reply to this comment


by forumcomments June 12, 2010 6:16 PM EDT: This is a sad situation. How many failures do the FBIdiots get before charges are brought against them for criminal incompetance. The Fort Hood shooter was monitored sending emails to a known terrorist leader for months and nothing was done to stop this maniac from doing what he did. He was at least consorting with the enemy. The time sqaure bomber of late was left alone for 90 minutes armed and then bought a ticket and went on a plane for Pakistan before the idiots realized what was happening. Some say it is better to be lucky than good. I think these fools need to be held accountable for their mistakes given the situations. I am surprised there haven't been more law suits against these fools. There is another saying that the siutations we know about amount to a samll percenatge of all the mistakes made by this tax payer funded group of fools. Fire all the bumbs.; Reply to this comment


by BSChemistry June 11, 2010 9:02 PM EDT: Thanks god this time he can?t get off the hook. My sympathy goes to the families of the victims. Joran, the mama boy, was spoiled and transformed in a monster by his family, Dutch Judiciary system and Government. He thinks that is very smart, and is in full disregard for others. For the disappearances of Natalee, the Dutch government covered up the Joran?s crime, and they are as guilty as him. The Peruvians are Kind and Nice people, but they won?t tolerate this macabre crime. This is something that they can?t swallow.; Reply to this comment


by mick7744 June 11, 2010 3:48 PM EDT: In the coming years, whenever I'm worried or upset about something or maybe just down in the dumps, I'll just kick back and reflect on what kind of day Jeron van der Sloot must be having in Lurigancho Prison.

Then I'll smile...; Reply to this comment


by keypounder June 11, 2010 1:57 PM EDT: Only 15 to 35 years?? ...FOR MURDER????? --ok there's something SERIOUSLY wrong there; Reply to this comment


by thatavkguy June 11, 2010 1:56 PM EDT: Remember his father was friends with the Aruban Police. If they take him there, he won?t be killed, just given sanctuary by his buddies. He is too much of a coward to want to die. It would be a welcome sight to send his ass to Guantanamo! A little water boarding is a good response to a $250,000 information extortion attempt. we'll get it without paying for it! ... Well maybe not, but it sounds good though.; Reply to this comment


by endmaine June 11, 2010 1:50 PM EDT: He was protected while living in Aruba because of his dad but not anymore. Peru will prosecute and imprison him. Just hopes he gets the maximum sentence and that prison justice will prevail.; Reply to this comment


by OldProfessor June 11, 2010 1:50 PM EDT: When a proven liar confesses, you have to wonder what his motive really is. The question above relative to his cohorts in the Holloway murder is a very good one. Deepak Kalpoe and Satish Kalpoe should be very concerned about how van der Sloot will involve them in the murder on Aruba. They can see already how he ratted on his father (now that he is not around to tell his side).; Reply to this comment

by anderson21 June 11, 2010 1:45 PM EDT

His Mother - who raised and later lied to protect him - should be tried as a co-conspirator.

Reply to this comment


by drearonnell January 20, 2011 10:50 PM EST: I agree completely with you Anderson21 about His "mother". She should also be in some trouble for protecting him. But mainly I pray that he will never see light of day again. It may be too much to ask, though. It seems like good people suffer and horrible people can continue to be horrible.