Cole said investigators checked out the skateboard ramp location but did not find a body. Cole also talked about his interview with Jennifer Hudson in November 2019. James Murphy: They're interested in seeing Paul Flores get convicted and Ruben Flores get held accountable. James Murphy: To see them in custody was a feeling of great joy for me. Chris Lambert and it worked. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Paul Flores killed Kristin Smart in dorm room during attempted rape, DA James Murphy: They brought in the first dog and they'd had the dog go through the dorms. Jonathan Vigliotti: How did you know she hadn't been back? PDF KRISTEN MODAFFERI - Federal Bureau of Investigation The next month, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office took over from the Cal Poly police as the lead investigators. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Jonathan Vigliotti: And that weighs on you. JAMES MURPHY: Your husband have information as to where Kristin Smart's body is located? Kristin Smart: Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong calls the Smarts. He'd go anywhere. PODCAST | EPISODE 1: At least once a day I asked myself what are you doing? Ruben's attorney, Harold Mesick, dismissed the evidence against his client as "so minimal as to shock the conscience.". Even more difficult to understand was why they waited two months to search the family home where Paul Flores was living with his father, Ruben. He also said there was suspicious staining in the soil indicative of human remains. UPDATE - San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Detective Clint Cole returned to the witness stand Wednesday in the preliminary hearing for Paul and Ruben Flores, testifying that searches of Ruben's home turned up evidence leading them to believe human remains had been buried there. The 19-year-old, who is also from Charlotte and a . "48 Hours" has learned these suspicions center around evidence found during that 2020 search of Paul Flores' home. Remember, Flores's room had been emptied and thoroughly cleaned. They havent revealed what was found but returned to the yard for additional digging after the arrests. Due to the evidence gleaned from the excavation, it is reasonable to believe Ruben Flores currently knows the location of Kristin Smarts remains," Peuvrelle said. When asked about how he got the injury Flores told three different stories. They also did not focus on Paul Flores immediately, waiting six days to formally interview him. In October 2022,. Cadaver dogs were sent into Paul Floress dorm room. 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. And he leaves her to walk up this walkway. Nearly a week after their arrests, father and son both pleaded not guilty in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. Proof of the L.A. charges cant act as a substitute for the SLO case.. Denise Pearce | Longtime family friend: Things were gonna get better and, you know, and and they did. Jonathan Vigliotti: There was a lot of evidence that could have been gathered, that wasn't. Four months later, while attempting to reconcile, Susan rented out her house in Arroyo Grande. 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. And I was, like, "uh OK, fine.". For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Mike McHugh is the producer-editor. Smart's body was recently moved from the home of Ruben Flores, a prosecutor said. She adds that Flores said he put Smart under a skateboard ramp in Arroyo Grande. JAMES MURPHY: In May of 96 were you a student at Cal Poly? But Lindsey says her sister was happiest when she was traveling. And it was only 250 miles from Stockton, California, where she grew up with Lindsey and their brother Matt. But Parkinson acknowledges it hasn't been easy. But I've seen it. D.A. 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. D.A. 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. And so, she pulled me into this sort of like, "oh come on, let's socialize. DAN DOW [press conference]: We have evidence that we do believe there are other people that are not yet identified that have had some kind of a criminal act perpetrated on them by Mr. Flores. James Murphy: Every day. 3. I was afraid Id end up missing or buried someplace, she says. Kristen has facial dimples. They were after Paul Flores for an outstanding DUI warrant. All of Kristin's personal belongings including her purse, her money, her I.D. . The prosecution upholds the validity of these searches, including one of Flores dorm room that was done after he moved out. Plans & Pricing . James Murphy: The podcast is out. How 'Your Own Backyard' podcast led to arrests in Kristin Smart murder 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. Devastating. Defense Attorney Sanger calls the move a stunning lack of objectivity.. JAMES MURPHY: Does your son have any information as to where Kristin Smart's body is located? When Kristin Smart disappeared, Paul Flores's parents Susan and Ruben were separated and living apart. But was there evidence possibly placing Kristin Smart at his mother's home? So many people have played such important roles over the past 25 years, and we are humbled by the amazing support and generosity we have received. Kristen was in her first year at Cal Poly when she vanished in 1996. Our family has always known that this was going to be a long, difficult, and emotional journey. DAN DOW [press conference]: But the allegation that he was committing or attempting to commit a rape when he killed her, is the basis for which we are able to file first-degree felony murder charges. We want to especially thank the District Attorneys Office for their relentless efforts. The police searched her dorm room in Muir Hall, finding her wallet and reminders to turn in assignments. Chris Lambert: That's the upsetting part about it, isn't it? Chris Lambert: So much was lost in those first few days where if that very first phone call was taken seriously answers might have been uncovered the first week. Denise Pearce: The investigation was completely botched by the campus police. Chris Lambert: They did a significant amount of digging underneath the house. Ruben Flores was acquitted by a separate jury. Kristen Deborah Modafferi (born June 1, 1979; disappeared June 23, 1997) is an American woman who, at the age of 18, in the early summer of 1997, disappeared in mysterious circumstances after leaving her work at the Crocker Galleria Mall in San Francisco, California. Denise Pearce: Kristin hasn't come home And we're not sure where she is We don't know anything. Kristen was in her first year at Cal Poly when she vanished in 1996. LOS ANGELES A California college student missing for nearly 25 years was once buried in the backyard of the home owned by the murder suspect's father, authorities said in a court document. Two days after her daughter went missing, Denise Smart got a call from Cal Poly's campus police. In the months after Kristin's disappearance, one truck was traded in and the other was reported stolen. The Mysterious Disappearance Of Kristen Modafferi - Grunge.com For more than two decades, her family, friends, and supporters searched for answers and for justice. Chris Lambert: I don't think she ever imagined that Kristin would end up dead by the end of the night. Her dorm entrance is right over here. Real Name: Kristen Deborah Modafferi Nicknames: No known nicknames Location: San Francisco, California Date: June 23, 1997 Bio Occupation: Student Date of Birth: June 1, 1979 Height: 5' 8" Weight: 140 lbs. Even worse they never sealed his dorm room. 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. James Murphy and Garin Sinclair look at the billboard that has been in their front yard for more than two decades. He'd go through tunnels, under bridges, looking for his daughter and expecting best case scenario. In 1997 when Paul Flores was deposed for the civil suit, the only thing he would confirm on tape was his name. How could she have gone out of town? Cole reportedly testified that Ruben asked why Susan Flores, who is Pauls mother, and her boyfriend were also being swabbed when he was the only one who committed a felony. Cole said this was done so Lambert would include the information in his podcast during the time of the wiretap. DAN DOW [press conference]: It is alleged that Mr. Flores caused the death of Kristen Smart while in the commission of or attempted rape. The search for Ms. Smart, who was nicknamed Roxy, took many forms. Kristen Modafferi. But while campus police weren't doing much, Kristin's parents were doing whatever they could to find their daughter. The day after my sister disappeared, Paul Flores had a black eye and scratches on him. Det. The authorities removed items from Paul Floress home in Los Angeles in February 2020. Susan Flores and her boyfriend were never charged in the case. JAMES MURPHY: Has your son ever told you that he did not kill Kristin Smart? / CBS News, (This story previously aired on May 8, 2021. And according to that probation report, "dozens of women have recounted Paul Flores' sexual assaults and predatory behavior that document his 25 years as a serial rapist." Ruben Flores, was arrested at his home on the same day and was charged with being an accessory after the fact. Peterson may or may not have been at the party Smart disappeared after. Dennis Mahon's Podcast The two men made their first courtroom appearance on July 14 in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, where Judge Craig B. van Rooyen denied the district attorneys motion to add two rape charges against Paul Flores, The Tribune of San Luis Obispo reported. James Murphy: Somebody found an earring that they say was Kristin Smart's jewelry in the driveway. James Murphy: He lied to the police about everything. Paul Flores and defense attorney Robert Sanger in court on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. And DNA evidence could not be found linking any other evidence to Kristin. Lindsey Smart Stewart: She definitely, like, took advantage of life, seized the day she was super ambitious and was determined you know, to find the next adventure. Jonathan Vigliotti: And that phone call never comes. Kristen Modafferi was an 18-year-old college student who was about to start a summer photography course at UC Berkeley when she disappeared after leaving work at a San Francisco coffee shop. Paul Flores did not have a car on campus, so Murphy surmises he had to have had help. 7,781 days.. That is all it took. Possible break in Kristen Modafferi case after 18 years On Oct. 18, Paul Flores was found guilty of murdering Ms. Smart. A trailer was reportedly parked at Ruben's residence at odd hours and Paul's mother, Susan Flores, and her boyfriend were there. James Murphy: I'd love to do anything to end their suffering. Joe Johnston/The Tribune (of San Luis Obispo), via Associated Press. The two girls walked to an area off campus where there were fraternities, sororities and residential housing for students. There's no question about it. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. Little is known since the proceedings are kept secret, but no charges were ever filed. October 22, 2022 / 10:10 PM They were soon joined by another partygoer, Paul Flores. Book Author Jenn is a lawyer-turned-author and true crime writer. 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. 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. Dozens of community members on Saturday evening gathered for a vigil at Santa Rosa Park in San Luis Obispo to light candles in the memory of Kristin Smart, the Cal JAMES MURPHY: Would you state your full name for the record please. In one of Paul's police interviews he mentioned that he wanted to be let out of the interview because he needed to help clean up concrete at his mom's house So, what was being done in Susan Flores's backyard in the weeks after Kristin went missing? Chris Lambert: Kristin's father would come down and hike every trail he could find on the Central Coast. Paul Flores talks to his attorneys Sara Sanger and Robert Sanger on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 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. Ms. Smart, 19, was a freshman at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo when she disappeared in 1996. The document said investigators at the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department had biological evidence indicating Smart was once buried under Ruben Flores' deck behind his home in nearby Arroyo Grande. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Chris Lambert: A young couple moves into it with their kid. She left around 2 a.m. and was accompanied by Paul Flores, who was also a student at Cal Poly. On June 23, 1997, Kristen left the coffee shop where she worked, Spinelli's Coffee in San Francisco's Crocker Galleria. They seized digital devices during the search and, in April 2020, executed another search on Paul Flores property in San Pedro. In October 2022, Paul Flores, the man long suspected in her disappearance, was found guilty of murder. Lambert also interviewed a woman who dated Flores until, she says, he became physically and verbally abusive. You can go." Ms. Smart, who was from Stockton, Calif., was a freshman at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Testimony resumes at the Kristin Smart hearing after a week off. Chris Lambert: I think that might have been the biggest misstep that investigators have made to this day. Paul Flores is charged with first-degree murder and is accused of killing Smart while attempting to rape her. 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. Cole in 2019. Chris Lambert: They're hopeful, but they've also been let down so many times before. He wouldn't answer a single thing. PODCAST EPISODE 2 | WOMAN #2: You wouldn't want to be alone in a room with him. They asked him not to use their names: PODCAST EPISODE 2 | WOMAN #1: Well his nickname was "Scary Paul.". What Chris did was take a local story and turn it into an international story. She was pushing herself out of her comfort zone. The mother is washing her car in the driveway at one point. Jonathan Vigliotti: How significant was that? During Tuesday's hearing, San Luis Obispo County. D.A. When they reached the turnoff to Cheryl's dorm, she says Flores tried to hug and kiss her. Some of those women who did not want their real names used told Lambert about their encounters with him. Members of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department and FBI searched the grounds of Susan Flores's home in Arroyo Grande on June 19, 2000, for any evidence that might shed light on the disappearance of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. In April, Paul Flores, 44, was arrested on one count of murder in connection to the case, and his father, Ruben Flores, 80, was arrested as an accessory after the fact. He says Smart seemed uncomfortable but was too nice to ask the boy to leave. Please come with me." But remarkably, the same thing happened with three more dogs. And she's like, "please come with me. Flores and his parents have always maintained that he had nothing to do with Smarts disappearance. His father, Ruben, will be tried as an accessory to the crime. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Nineteen-year-old Cal Poly student Kristin Smart went missing after a campus party 25. A jury acquitted Ruben Flores of the charge of being an accessory after the fact. Later, the sheriff's office obtained a warrant for Ruben's DNA and Det. Nic Coury / AP. That's when Denise Smart learned her daughter had not been seen all weekend, and all her belongings were still in her dorm room. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Even though he'd never investigated anything before, Lambert quit his job to create a podcast about the case. Like so many freshmen, Kristin struggled. A lot of women felt uncomfortable around him, Flemming says. Jonathan Vigliotti | CBS News correspondent: You wanted to go home, and you were trying to find a way to break it to your friend. In March 2021, investigators used cadaver dogs and ground-penetrating radar to search Ruben Floress property in Arroyo Grande, Calif. Paul Flores was taken into custody at his home in the San Pedro section of Los Angeles on April 13, 2021, and was charged with murder. Chris Lambert: They just have never given up and are never going to give up on their daughter. Murphy immediately filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Flores in civil court.