ruben flores deposition

Flores was then the only person left helping Smart stagger back from the party at around 2am. They had a lead regarding Kristins burial which steered them to excavate part of the university campus, but this was to no avail. Justice is coming. He also noted concerns over broken cement pieces that he was told were leftover from Paul and Rubens work the summer before. Paul was then named a person of interest in Kristins disappearance. https://www.nytimes.com/article/kristin-smart-case-timeline.html. He famously testified in the Casey Anthony case in Florida. Paul Flores was found guilty of first degree murder on October 18. This time around, the authorities. After, there were new latticework and planter boxes that had been cut out of existing cement. Investigators conducted dozens of searches over two decades, but turned their attention in 2020 to Ruben Flores' home about 12 miles south of Cal Poly. What you have to decide is whether Paul Flores committed murder.'. Conyers was not given permission to search the cement planters. Thedocuments detail the competing argumentsbetween prosecutors and attorneys for defendant Paul Flores over whatevidence should be allowed for Flores's trial, which began on July 18 at Monterey County Superior Court, Salinas. He also concludes they could not search the West side of the home because of too much stuff in the way. Please enable javascript before you are allowed to see this page. He said cadaver dogs play a significant role for them and are used frequently in their searches. Among the over 200 pagesofdocuments are appeals byFlores's attorney to exclude DNA-related evidence from the trial, including a stainedmattress cover from Flores's dorm room; its validity as proof that Smart had been in theroom is disputed by the two sides, the filings show. 'All that stuff they say is evidence, you look through it, and there is nobody against me or Paul,' Ruben said in his first public appearance since his arrest. Susans home was searched again on Jun. So if Vass finds human-specific chemicals in the soil sample, that means there are human remains in the area. Schafer also speculates that Kristins remains are still in Susans backyard. "If that coordination occurs for him and that some lawyer does get authority to appear for him, then that case down there would just get continued, continued, continued until his case is solved up here.". But now there is. So Dostie contacted Smallwood, and soon a plan was set to search for Kristins remains. Smart was declared legally dead. In the History Flight Search, Recovery and Identification Report 45 LT Alexander Bonnyman Jr. Betio, Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati 2006-2015, a map shows where Buster alerted and where remains were found. Murphy told KSBY News he also filed a lawsuit against both Ruben and Susan Flores in 1997, but it was dropped when the Flores family filed for bankruptcy. In a deposition with Attorney James Murphy, neighbors of Susan Flores said they noticed Paul and Ruben doing work in Susan's backyard not long after Kristin's disappearance. Last month, Paul Flores was arrested on felony gun charges arising from a discovery of a firearm in his residence while on felony probation. Additionally, Vass was Tennessee Scientist of the Year in 2004 and is an instructor at the National Forensic Academy. Weve got you covered. Morris testified that her dog alerted to a door on the left side of Santa Lucia Hall, specifically room #128Paul Floress dorm room. On Thursday, James Murphy, the Smart family's attorney, filed an intentional infliction of emotional distress lawsuit against Ruben Flores less than 24 hours after he was released on bail. There has been significant speculation that Ruben Flores was involved in discarding the body of Kristin Smart. Ms. Smarts acquaintances were interviewed. LaRoque had a similar testimony regarding her dog Torrey who alerted to the same areas, including Paul Floress trash can. She was declared dead in 2002. He said he went through the case files with a fine-tooth comb. Chris podcast was, in part, responsible for bringing renewed attention to the case that eventually led to these arrests. RIGHT NOW: The Smart Family attorney, James Murphy, filed a lawsuit against Ruben Flores and is suing Flores for emotional damages associated with Kristin Smarts 1996 disappearance. Connely reportedly said he would take those results and findings to the sheriff. He was also unable to search a garage building that was built on the East side of the home in 1997 because of wire mesh in the floor. Might have put the house up, just a guess. Shecan be reached ataleathley@recordnet.comor on Twitter@LeathleyAaron. Later, Flores invoked his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination before a grand jury and during a civil deposition. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Human remains detection dogs (HRDDs) are canines specially trained to find human decomposition scent and alert their handler to its location.. It was like he ran into a brick wall. The East side of the home was not properly searched because of this. The Smart family filed a $40 million wrongful death lawsuit against Paul Flores in 1997, but he was not immediately charged criminally in the case. Ruben is found not guilty of helping his son hide Smart's body. Over the years, women called him 'Chester the molester' and 'Psycho Paul,' according to a court document. When he was first questioned in 1996, Paul Flores told police that Kristin had walked all the way to her own dorm room after the party. It is believed by Dostie and Dr. Vass that migration of bio-markers in the soil was being impeded by the block wall and/or concrete footer supporting the wall. Members of History Flight work to find individuals who have been listed as Missing in Action (MIA) or deemed non-recoverable from WWII, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. Since the trial started, Lambert said that the defense team have unsuccessfully requested to go through his emails, text messages, and gain access to his podcast notes. The search of Ruben Flores' home took place about a month after Paul . During the search, officials said they found evidence related to the murder of Smart. Image Credit: ABC10. 18:05 BST 19 Oct 2022, The father of Kristin Smart's convicted killer said there was 'no evidence' tying his son to her murder, suggesting the court 'works on feelings instead of facts.'. However, he also said that he had never searched for human remains before and did not have the proper equipment. Ranch Life/Equine Enthusiast, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Twin Cities Community Hospital Receives Award for Maternity Care, Colony Days and the Worlds Greatest Margarita By Barbie Butz, SLO County Bids Fond Farewell to Longtime Chief Probation Officer, North County Wakes Up to Snow Saturday Morning, Open for Business? The prosecution then rested its case and the defense decided not to call witnesses following Holmans testimony. During his deposition in November 1997, Paul had invoked the 5th Amendment in response to any questions regarding the case. As Kristin Smarts body was never found, it is reasonable to assume that Paul Flores received assistance in moving the body in the middle of the night. 'It's too bad that sometimes the system works on feelings instead of facts, but I am relieved about myself of course.'. And it was during the announcement of the arrest thatSan Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson gave credit to the tireless work of podcast host Chris Lambert. There is huge defense money being paid here. Ruben Flores was arrested as an accessory at his Arroyo Grande home, where sheriff's investigators conducted another search. The revival of public interest: Your Own Backyard podcast. ', Mesick said he feels there is 'reasonable inference' Smart is still alive and that he thought Paul Flores' attorney will likely file for a new trial since 'there are plenty of grounds.'. Susan Flores' house, when it was rented by Mary and Joe Lassiter, December 1996 (Photo by Joe Lassiter) . From those searches, they claim to have found physical evidence of human remains and that those remains were moved. . Other witnesses included students who were at the party. In total, over 100 American remains were found where Buster alerted. For example, a hole that was dug and then covered up again. Authorities also said that they linked two other attacks on women in Los Angeles to Paul Flores. While an expert said it was human blood, the test used did not rule out the possibility it was from a ferret or primate, though court records said no remains of either such animal were found there. On Sept. 18, 2014, test results came back from Dr. Vass indicating a negative for human decomposition. Professor Lawrence Conyers was able to search almost all of Susans backyard. It didnt take long for Buster to make a strong alert to the back corner of the fence line bordering Susans property. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. There was also a search warrant that was served at Pauls sisters home in Washington. At the time of their arrest, the Smart family said in a statement: 'It is impossible to put into words what this day means for our family. All three handlers testified that they knew Kristin disappeared but did not know any further details on the case. Paul Flores was charged with murder, and Ruben Flores with being an accessory after the fact, accused of helping to bury her remains. ', The breakthrough - Flores men are arrested. Former student Ross Ketchum recalled speaking to 19-year-old Smart about surfing and school at the Memorial Day weekend party, held at 135 Crandall Way. Over the years, he was considered the prime suspect in her disappearance and was arrested in April 2021, along with his father, Ruben Flores. - On Friday, August 14, 2015, Elmer Rice told Christopher Garland that Ruben Flores (Paul's father) told him that Kristin was rolled up in carpet and buried in concrete. 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. Then in April 2021, Flores was charged for her murder. You have been very attentive and conscientious throughout this case. At the time I picked it up, it felt like the Kristin Smart case is that local case we all talk about, how come it never got solved? Ruben Flores son Paul Flores is accused of murdering Kristin Smart during an attempted rape in 1996. He condemned what he said was a rush to judgement. They arrested Paul Flores on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm in February 2021 when his home was searched. Prosecution, defense lay out case as Paul Flores trial opens in death of Kristin Smart, 24 years from the Cal Poly student's disappearance to a suspect's arrest, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Four days after her disappearance, police filed a missing persons report. Following the procedure, Dostie took a soil sample from the spot to send to Dr. Vass for further testing. When there is a possibility of a criminal case being brought, the person who is a witness can go on the record and say, 'I decline to answer that on grounds it could incriminate me,' Bosserman said. 19, 1996, he left early to finish concrete work at his mothers home on Branch Street. Sanger also told the jurors that they needed to question whether the expert witnesses who testified for the prosecution are actually experts. A neighbor of Ruben Flores denied seeing anyone under his Arroyo Grande home on Feb. 9, 2020, calling the allegations she viewed digging, shovels and a wheelbarrow untrue.. 'There is just so much animosity towards this man and his family. Constructive debate is good; mockery, taunting, and name calling is not. Paul Flores and Ruben Flores plead not guilty in connection with Smart's disappearance. And it was very rewarding at the same time because we found what we were looking for, said Noah. He worked in law enforcement for 30 years. He has denied any involvement. In addition, Morris said both her dogs, Cholla and Cirque, strongly alerted to the mattress and desk on the left side of the room. Davis was going to walk her home with another student, Cheryl Anderson. This time around, the authorities stated that they retrieved evidence regarding the murder of Kristin. Recalling moments from 1996, Smart's heartbroken mother Denise said she contacted police shortly after Kristin failed to call home on Sunday, May 26. At the time of his search in 2007, there was no technology that could read through the metal wiring. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. During these searches, Dostie was not told whether they knew or not there were remains there. Cadaver dogs trained to detect human decomposition were deployed by the F.B.I. During his deposition in November 1997, Paul had invoked the 5th Amendment in response to any questions regarding the case. She was never seen again. But on April 13, 2021, after an investigation that spanned nearly a quarter of a century, the authorities announced that two California men Paul Flores, now 45, and his father, Ruben Flores, 81 had been arrested in connection with her disappearance. Smart's case was never closed, but momentum was revived in the last two years. Paul Flores was identified as a person of interest early in the case. 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 Peuvrelle's request to. Cadaver dogs were sent into Paul Floress dorm room. It was fascinating to be able to combine all the different levels of technology, including the dog alerts. The search for Ms. Smart, who was nicknamed Roxy, took many forms. In his closing, defense attorney Sanger blamed Your Own Backyard podcast, the media and billboards for promoting Paul Flores guilt without sufficient evidence. The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. According to Smallwood, they were told the sheriffs office did not look further into the findings, stating the evidence was insufficient to obtain a search warrant. Currently, Ruben lives in Abilene, TX. The last time Kristin was seen: College party, May 1996. However, about three years later, another witness, who had not been previously questioned, was brought in as well. Over the years, judges have allowed the lawsuit to move forward. After reading the paper, Dostie said he was thoroughly impressed with the amount of detail put into the articles on Kristin Smart. In her deposition, with Stan and Denise Smart present in the room, Anderson tried to explain her decision to leave Kristin in Flores' care for the final leg home: . Freshman Kristin Smart disappeared without a trace after a Californian college party 26 years ago - and now the prime murder suspect has been found guilty after a crime podcast helped cops crack the case. He was doing a good deed.'. The following were arrested Thursday in Aurora: Tapia-Rubio and Mora-Sanchez; Selestino Hernandez-Mayo, 45; and . You cant dispute it.. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said Paul Flores was. The publicity of the case is 'the elephant in the room,' Sanger said, adding that there were people 'inserting themselves' into the case along with extensive news coverage locally and nationally. I understand that people are upset that Kristin is missing, I understand they want a person to be responsible for that,' Mesick said. Prosecutors suggested that this was how he seized on Kristin, a popular blonde who he'd admired but could never win over. Here is his Dad,. Paul's next Los Angeles County court appearance is scheduled for June 10 for his charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Next month, the judge is scheduled to discuss potentially enabling online access to documents filed in Flores's trial, according to The Tribune. Again, Buster quickly picked up on the scent of human decomposition. That stunt resulted in a murderer going free. There will be a lot of people who will be unhappy if Paul Flores is not hung from the highest gallows.. Ruben Flores was released from jail after posting bail at about 11 p.m. Wednesday night. He added that Zoom court appearances could give Paul a chance to waive his right to a speedy trial in that case. In a deposition with Attorney James Murphy, neighbors of Susan Flores said they noticed Paul and Ruben doing work in Susans backyard not long after Kristins disappearance. and During the call, the mother tells her son he needed to tell her where they can 'punch holes' in the 'Your Own Backyard' podcast because 'only you can.'. 19, 2000. 'Getting into court was not a goal of mine and I didn't see it happening. Atascadero News Magazine Paul Flores talks to his attorneys Sara Sanger and Robert Sanger on during a court appearance in September 2021 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. had been arrested in connection with her disappearance, Paul Flores was found guilty of murdering Ms. Smart, while in the commission of, or attempted, rape, Paul Flores was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. It resulted in the deposition of Paul and Ruben Flores and the. Ms. Smart, 19, was a freshman at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo when she disappeared in 1996. For the next 25 years, I did whatever I could and looked for answers wherever I could, Denise Smart told the court, according to CBS 13, a local television station. It depends on all 12 of you to deliberate to show whether there's proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Next, he brought the duo to an area where he knew there were recently recovered graves. Alexandra Wallace November 11, 2019. 'He's charged with murder, not rape or attempted rape,' he said. 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. New witnesses were interviewed which led detectives to securing a court order to monitor Paul Flores' cellphone activity. 'Some of that information came to light through the podcast that was produced and eventually led to our interviewing that witness.'. Judge Jennifer O'Keefe thanked the jury for their service, after reading out the verdict. Over time, these chemicals spread through moisture in the soil. With no new evidence in the case, Kristin was declared legally dead six years after she first went missing. In an interview withPaso Robles Press, Schafer said, I gave them the opportunity to dig up the backyard, but they didnt do it.. May 25, 1996: Kristin Smart attends an off-campus party with multiple friends, including Paul Flores, at Cal Poly. Holman later met with Lambert and Murphy at Murphys office to tell her story, which did not include the later reports that she saw people under the home, she testified. The next morning when Holman left for work, the SUV and the trailer were still at Ruben Flores home, Holman testified. Stan Smart on Tuesday afternoon paid tribute to the sheriffs, detectives and prosecutors who secured Flores's conviction. Over the years, the separate homes of Pauls parents, Susan and Ruben Flores, were searched in addition to Pauls home later on. Ruben is charged as an accessory, accused of helping Paul hide Kristin's body. Once again, Buster gave a strong alert to a spot along the fence bordering Susans backyard. This search was done after FBI agent Jack Schafer gave the SLO police department a warrant to dig up Susan Floress backyard. But, unfortunately, Buster did not go with him so as not to wake the neighbors if he were to bark. We love to hear them. Worried Denise had days earlier called the college president, but was redirected to a residential advisor who refused to give any information about Kristin on 'privacy' grounds. Ruben Flores lives at a home at 710 White Court, Arroyo Grande, California. 'This has been an agonizingly long journey, with more downs than ups, but we are grateful and appreciate the diligence and energy of the two juries to thoroughly review the facts and reach their decision.'. Flores also invoked the Fifth Amendment during a 1997 deposition, after Smart's family sued him for the wrongful death of Kristin. Dostie came back saying there were no remains there. Then, in 2021 the SLO County Sheriffs searched Ruben Floress home on White Court. It would be one of several home searches . Reuben Flores Deposition Part 1 Murphy Law Corporation 31 subscribers Subscribe 46 Share 5.8K views 2 years ago Deposition of Reuben Flores, father of prime suspect Paul Flores of the. And eventually led to these arrests Kristin was seen: College party, May 1996 's.... Students who were at the time of his search in 2007, there were recently recovered.. When Holman left for work, the authorities stated that they knew Kristin disappeared did... 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