Attorney for Paul Flores files for dismissal of charges, new trial in Kristin Smart murder
The attorney for Paul Flores has filed for a new trial in the 1996 disappearance and murder of Stockton native Kristin Smart.
Watch CBS News
The attorney for Paul Flores has filed for a new trial in the 1996 disappearance and murder of Stockton native Kristin Smart.
The convicted killer's sentencing will be set until next March -- giving his attorney enough time to review court records and prepare to file a motion for a new trial. He was found guilty in the 1996 death of Kristin Smart.
The guilty verdict in the Kristin Smart murder case is finally giving the Smart family a sense of justice, although the painful wait to locate her body continues.
The guilty verdict in the Kristin Smart murder case is finally giving the Smart family a sense of justice, although the painful wait to locate her body continues. No one knows that pain better than the family of Christie Wilson, whose body was not discovered for 15 years after she was murdered in Placer County.
See the major events in the timeline spanning from when Smart was reported missing to the guilty verdict handed to Paul Flores and a not-guilty verdict for his father, Ruben Flores.
The family of Kristin Smart, who disappeared 26 years ago and has never been found, finally found justice after her convicted killer, Paul Flores, was convicted of murder. Paul will be sentenced in December.
During Tuesday's press conference about the Flores murder verdict, Kristin Smart's father thanked podcaster Chris Lambert for helping solve the case. Lambert grew up near where Kristin vanished and started looking into what happened the night of May 24, 1996.
Ruben Flores was asked how he felt knowing his son was found guilty. He said: "It's hard for me to describe it. All that stuff they say is evidence -- you look through it, and there is no evidence against anybody -- me or Paul," "Too much made-up stuff. That's all I can say."
The Paul Flores jury made their announcement first in court on Tuesday. Smart's former Cal Poly classmate was found guilty of first-degree murder. The deputy DA, who prosecuted the case, spoke about the trial.
"Today, Justice Delayed is not justice denied," said Sheriff Ian Parkinson.
Kristin Smart's father thanked many people, including podcaster Chris Lambert, who has "poured his heart and soul" into the Kristin Smart story. He’s credited with reigniting interest in this case and bringing witnesses forward after years of silence. The Paul Flores jury made their announcement first in court on Tuesday. Kristin Smart's former Cal Poly classmate was found guilty of first-degree murder in the commission or attempted commission of rape in her death. Kristin disappeared 26 years ago.
The trials were heard together for nearly three months, but Paul and Ruben were being tried separately.
Ruben Flores, the father of the man now convicted of killing Kristin Smart, has been found not guilty of being an accessory after the fact
Verdicts for both Paul and Ruben Flores are in and will be read in court, one after the other, at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
A verdict has now been reached in the trial of both Paul and Ruben Flores. It will be read at 1:30 p.m.
The juries deliberating in the trial of the murder of Kristin Smart have now reached a verdict for both Ruben and Paul Flores.
Two juries are in deliberation in the Kristin Smart murder trial and will decide if Smart's former Cal Poly classmate and his father are responsible for her disappearance.
Two juries are in deliberation in the Kristin Smart murder trial and will decide if Smart's former Cal Poly classmate and his father are responsible for her disappearance.
The jury deliberating in the Kristin Smart murder trial has reached a verdict for Ruben Flores.
A verdict in the murder of Kristin Smart could be just days away. The court is taking a scheduled break until Thursday. Paul Flores is accused of raping and killing Smart after an off-campus at Cal Poly back in 1996. His father, Ruben, is charged with hiding her body, which has never been found. The men were tried together with separate juries. Both juries have to reach a verdict before either is announced.
A verdict is closer for the trial of two men accused in connection with the disappearance of Kristin Smart. Paul Flores’ jury has the case and is deliberating after closing arguments Monday.
Prosecutors say they've laid out evidence that shows Paul Flores killed Smart and buried her body in his father, Ruben's, backyard.
The trial was delayed after a juror emergency. Paul Flores is accused of killing Smart after an off-campus party. His father is accused of helping him dispose of Smart's body.
After an unexplained break, the trial resumed for the men accused in the death of Kristin Smart. A DNA analyst is taking the stand to talk about possible blood evidence found under the Flores family home.
The eighth week of testimony began Monday as jurors heard from a witness who said Paul Flores admitted to killing Stockton teen and Cal Poly freshman Kristin Smart in 1996.
