Examining California’s Kristin Smart trial: The anatomy of a case with no body

California courtroom officers unsealed a trove of almost 500 pages of paperwork within the ongoing case trial for Paul and Ruben Flores – the daddy and son accused in reference to the disappearance and presumed dying of Kristin Sensible.

The paperwork supply a glimpse into how the prosecution hopes to persuade two juries that Paul Flores is responsible, with no cheap doubt, of her homicide, and his father, of appearing as an adjunct after the very fact. It’s a hefty activity, with a heavy burden, no matter any extenuating circumstances. And on this case, one specific element makes the job that a lot more durable: Over 26 years since Sensible disappeared, her stays have by no means been discovered. 

Sensible was a 19-year-old freshman at California State Polytechnic College’s San Luis Obispo campus in 1996 when she was final seen, allegedly closely intoxicated, with the Paul Flores after an off-campus celebration on Crandall Manner. She was walked again from the celebration by three folks – two folks, a person and a lady, after which Flores. The others slowly peeled off after Flores allegedly insisted a number of instances that he might get Sensible house safely. 

She was by no means seen once more. 

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Now, almost each day for weeks – albeit with some breaks in between – courtroom employees, attorneys, the defendants, their households, reporters and dozens of jurors have packed right into a Salinas, California, courtroom to listen to the decades-old case play out. Each Paul Flores, 45, and Ruben Flores, 81, are standing trial concurrently on their respective costs, however with separate juries and protection groups to argue on their behalf.

Prosecutors have argued their perception that Flores killed Sensible in his dorm room throughout an tried rape. They are saying his father then helped his son bury Sensible’s physique beneath the deck behind his Arroyo Grande house – after which later dug up her stays when regulation enforcement returned many years later. 

They’re anticipated to rely not solely on witness interviews, however proof gathered from ground-penetrating expertise, K9-detection and soil analyses to additional attempt to persuade the juries.

In the meantime, the protection attorneys for Paul and Ruben, respectively, are anticipated to argue that Flores barely knew Sensible, and that the proof is “primarily based on hypothesis and never proof of details.” 

Paul Flores, on the left, was charged with homicide. Ruben Flores, on the appropriate, was charged with accent after the very fact. 
(Courtesy | San Luis Obispo County Jail.)

They’ve tried to recommend Sensible ran away to Hawaii, or that there have been different suspects – together with convicted homicide Scott Peterson, who attended the college on the similar time. However the choose barred any such point out of different suspects throughout trial. 

The protection did, nevertheless, obtain a victory when a choose granted a request for the placement of the case to be modified from San Luis Obispo County to Salinas, in Monterey County.

The proceedings will not be televised or live-streamed, and solely a handful of reporters per day are allowed inside on a first-come, first-serve foundation.

In line with accounts from reporters, day-after-day individuals who knew Sensible, Paul Flores, or the circumstances of the case have taken the stand to testify about their expertise or involvement. The trial is predicted to proceed for months. 

IN HIS OWN WORDS

Paul Flores stands throughout his homicide trial in Monterey County Superior Court docket in Salinas, Calif., Monday, July 18, 2022. 
(Daniel Dreifuss/Monterey County Weekly by way of AP, Pool)

Investigators spoke with Paul Flores at the least 4 instances within the days and weeks that adopted Sensible’s disappearance – on Could 28, 1996; Could 30, 1996; Could 31, 1996; and June 19, 1996. In every of those circumstances, based on authorities, he was not arrested, was not in custody and was not handcuffed. Every time, he allegedly willingly spoke to investigators. 

“Even when the woman needed me, I wouldn’t…”

— Paul Flores, based on regulation enforcement data

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In line with the unsealed paperwork, a police division investigator spoke with Flores in his dorm room on Could 28, 1996. Flores was “nervous, his coronary heart was pounding in his chest to such a level that his shirt was transferring,” Kennedy reported. 

“Paul Flores advised him that he walked Kristin Sensible up the hill after which that they had separated. He went again to his dorm. He gave her two hugs whereas in transit from the celebration,” prosecutors wrote in courtroom papers. “Kennedy seen that Paul Flores had a black proper eye.” 

‘Chester the Molester’ and ‘Roxy’

Kristin Sensible who disappeared in 1996 and Paul Flores, prime suspect within the disappearance, showing in Superior Court docket in Torrance together with his lawyer in 2006.
(AP/Getty Photos)

Simply two days later, Flores went to the Cal Poly Police Division workplace and spoke with a pair of investigators – a detective from San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Division and an officer from the Cal Poly Police Division, paperwork state. 

When requested to explain the occasions from the evening of Sensible’s disappearance, “going backwards,” Flores allegedly advised police, “She walked that method, I walked that method. That’s the final time I noticed her.” They’d been strolling with one other woman from the celebration, he advised the police, who ultimately parted methods with the pair, a transcript states. 

“A pair instances like on the way in which, perhaps in all probability twice you already know, I went like that, simply gave her kinda like a hug, ‘Trigger she was freezing,’” Flores allegedly stated. Requested how a lot he needed to drink, he stated, “an excessive amount of,” and he ended up throwing up. 

He advised police he didn’t keep in mind what time he received sick or what time he received again. He rambled about how a lot alcohol he had consumed, earlier than investigators requested him towards concerning the celebration and Sensible, whom he stated he knew as “Roxy.” 

Paul Flores, prime suspect within the disappearance of Cap Poly San Luis Obispo Pupil Kristin Sensible, a Cal Poly Pupil himself lived on this dorm room (nearest window in picture) within the Santa Lucia dormitory in 1996, when 19-year-old Kristin disappeared. (PHOTOGRAPHED FRIDAY MAY19, 2006.)
(Picture by Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Instances by way of Getty Photos)

“I don’t know the way we wound up strolling collectively,” he stated, based on a transcript. When requested if he had any bodily contact along with her, he responded: “Nope. By no means gave her a kiss, nothin’ or …”

He then pivoted to speaking concerning the title “Roxy,” courtroom papers present. 

“It was the title that she was utilizing on the celebration was Roxy. Be – as a result of after – after you left I used to be considering you already know – Christine, Christine after which – and I used to be like – then I’m all – I’m all – I by no means even heard that title earlier than. Then – Then I noticed that the papers within the residence corridor yesterday speaking about Roxy,” he stated, based on the transcript. “That’s the title she was going by yesterday or the Friday.” 

Again to the evening of the celebration, Flores advised investigators the “solely factor” he remembered “was she was saying she was freezing.”

Kristin Sensible went lacking on Could 25, 1996 whereas attending California Polytechnic State College, San Luis Obispo and has not been heard from since. 
(Axel Koester/Sygma by way of Getty Photos)

“Like I talked to her one time on the celebration and she or he stated ‘hello I’m Roxy … How do you want me’ or one thing like that, however she – she stored get – she stored walkin’ up like each single man on the celebration sayin’ that,” he allegedly advised investigators.

Requested how he would describe Sensible’s conduct, he stated, “flirtatious I suppose.” 

“Even when the woman needed me, I wouldn’t as a result of – since you don’t know what you possibly can ever get … illnesses,” Flores allegedly stated. 

However the dialog then pivots to Flores himself, and any nicknames for him. 

Requested if folks referred to as him something, Flores talked about, “Paulino” and later, “Paulie Quick.” However investigators had one other one in thoughts. 

“The phrase that we heard was, ‘Chester the Molester,’” one of many investigators stated. 

Flores advised investigators he had “by no means ever” heard that title.

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Flores went on to inform investigators he went to the toilet when he received house to bathe and will hear somebody in the bathroom stall – he stated this whereas responding to a query about whether or not he encountered anybody who might doubtlessly assist him type an alibi if wanted. 

He stated it was “perhaps” 5 a.m., “’Trigger I had some unhealthy style in my mouth so I went and took a bathe.” 

He didn’t disclose way more when it comes to the timeframe surrounding the 5 a.m. bathe. 

Flores later advised investigators throughout the interview that he walked to the celebration by himself whereas he was on his strategy to his sister’s – he noticed the celebration and “wound up stopping by,” the transcript says. He stated he didn’t inform his sister he was coming, however he was planning on simply stopping over unannounced. 

He stated he had three beers at his dorm and introduced one other with him on the way in which. He initially stated it was 10 p.m. when he left for his sister’s, however then stated, “perhaps it was like” 9. 

Through the interview, Flores additionally reveals he turned went to the police station on Could 27, 1996 to publish bail for lacking a courtroom date associated to his then-recent DUI arrest, the transcript states. He stated he thought that was why police have been coming to talk with him on that first day, the data state.  

Robert Flores’ 1996 mugshot picture for costs unrelated to Kristin Sensible case
(courtroom data)

And on Could 31, 1996 – now six days after Sensible was final seen – Chief District Legal professional Investigator Invoice Hanley interviewed Flores, who met with Hanley on the Cal Poly Police Division, courtroom paperwork state. 

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“Flores claimed that he knew Sensible as Roxy and that she had come as much as him and launched herself however that was the extent of their dialog,” prosecutors recounted in courtroom papers. “Flores claimed that he didn’t discover Roxy enticing and, ‘didn’t like these sort of women.’” 

The papers add: “Flores additionally claimed he didn’t contact, contact, or speak to her throughout the celebration.”

Kristin Sensible went lacking on Could 25, 1996 whereas attending California Polytechnic State College, San Luis Obispo and has not been heard from since.
(Picture by Axel Koester/Sygma by way of Getty Photos)

He additionally allegedly advised the investigator that Sensible “walked off on her personal in direction of her dorm. However previous witnesses advised police Sensible was so intoxicated that she was unable to face or stroll on her personal. 

“When requested why, if Sensible was so intoxicated, he didn’t stroll her to her dorm[,] Flores replied that he didn’t consider it,” courtroom papers state.

Hanley additionally requested Flores why he “would take a bathe if he had a nasty style in his mouth,” courtroom data state. He allegedly didn’t have a response.

Paul went on to inform investigators his father picked him up from campus and took him house that Sunday. 

The Black Eye

FILE – This Tuesday, April 13, 2021, file picture supplied by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Workplace reveals suspect Paul Flores who was taken into custody within the San Pedro space of Los Angeles for the homicide of Kristin Sensible.
(San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Workplace by way of AP)

Flores was requested a number of instances about an obvious black eye on the appropriate aspect of his face, and gave a spread of explanations as to the way it occurred. 

Throughout an interview on Could 30, 1996, Flores advised police he received the black eye after he “received elbowed taking part in basketball.” The game, he stated, additionally defined the scabs on his knees, based on transcripts. 

On Could 31, 1996, When requested once more concerning the black eye that had fashioned on Flores’ proper aspect, “Flores claimed he received the black eye from taking part in basketball on Monday” – two days after Sensible was final seen – with a buddy, data state. 

However the buddy who performed basketball with Flores on that Monday additionally noticed Flores the day earlier than, on Sunday, and stated Flores was already sporting the black eye then. Flores, he stated, advised him he “awoke with it.”

And after they did play basketball on Monday, “Flores didn’t get hit within the face,” the buddy allegedly advised investigators. 

Court docket data alleged that Flores additionally advised investigators he received the black eye whereas “engaged on his automotive.”

‘D— Tease’

Court docket papers additionally describe data from a lady who had a run-in with Flores whereas skateboarding with pals. She advised investigators she was 17 or 18 years outdated in August and September 1996, across the time she was skateboarding in San Luis Obispo with six to eight folks, together with Flores. 

“[A] radio commercial got here on that piqued everybody’s curiosity,” courtroom papers state. “A Public Service Announcement was learn asking if anybody had details about Kristin Sensible or her disappearance.”

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In line with courtroom papers, “Flores responded to the PSA by saying that b—- was a d— tease and that he was performed taking part in along with her. He buried/put her beneath his ramp in Huasna.” 

Sept. 7, 2016: An indication exterior the James R. Murphy, Jr. regulation workplace in Arroyo Grande, Calif., presents a reward for data within the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Sensible.
(AP)

Hudson allegedly couldn’t recall if Flores stated “put her” or “buried” when uttering the sentence, courtroom papers state. 

“It didn’t seem to Hudson that he was joking as he was not laughing or smiling,” paperwork allege. Hudson left, and stated the “vomited” the subsequent time she noticed him.

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However she didn’t contact the police “as a result of she was afraid, and he knew folks she frolicked with.” It was many years earlier than her account got here out within the “Your Personal Yard” Podcast, a well-liked collection concerning the case. 

TO PROSECUTE A CASE WITHOUT A BODY

On this April 15, 2021, file picture defendants Paul Flores, high left, and his father, Ruben Flores, backside proper, seem by way of video convention throughout their arraignment in San Luis Obispo Superior Court docket in San Luis Obispo, Calif. 
(AP Picture/Nic Coury, File)

Daniel Bibb, a former Manhattan assistant district attorney-turned prison protection lawyer, prosecuted New York Metropolis Dr. Robert Bierenbaum for the 1985 homicide of his spouse, Gail Katz. 

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The prosecutor accused Bierenbaum, a former plastic surgeon and pilot, of strangling his spouse after which dumping her physique from an airborne aircraft because it hovered over the Atlantic Ocean.  He and his group secured a conviction towards Bierenbaum in October 2000. 

Twenty years later, Bierenbaum confessed to the homicide throughout a parole board listening to. 

Ruben Flores, father of Paul Flores, sits in courtroom Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Kristin Sensible disappeared throughout her freshman 12 months at California Polytechnic State College in San Luis Obispo greater than 25 years in the past.
(David Middlecamp/The Tribune (of San Luis Obispo) by way of AP, Pool,File)

The account of occasions that prosecutors argued was almost actual to what had Bibb stated occurred. Chatting with Fox Information Digital, Bibb stated prosecutors’ portrayal “was the one rationalization that was cheap.” 

“There have been two elements to constructing this case: The primary was, can we show that she is deceased? … And taking a look at all proof – not solely the proof because it existed then, however the proof that was developed,” he defined. “There are two points right here: Is she lifeless, and who killed her?” 

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A prison case doesn’t must be fashioned with bodily proof – circumstantial proof is enough. However an absence of bodily proof makes a case extraordinarily harder. 

Paul Flores places on a brand new N95 masks Aug. 3, 2021, at a preliminary listening to in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
(David Middlecamp/The Tribune (of San Luis Obispo) by way of AP, Pool,File)

He added: “The issue was, might we show it past an affordable doubt? And once we have been performed investigating and we … sat down and went over it piece-by-piece, we got here to the conclusion that she was lifeless, and he did it.”

Bibb referred to as the Bierenbaum prosecution “the hardest case of our profession.” 

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“There is not any bodily proof, there isn’t any confession. This was the hardest trial we have been going to have ever,” he went on. “And after that, I did not have a harder one, and earlier than I hadn’t had one.”