Kristin Smart murder case: Paul Flores found guilty; Ruben Flores not guilty
SALINAS – The verdicts for the father and son on trial in the 1996 disappearance and murder of Stockton native Kristin Smart have now been read.
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.
GUILTY: Paul Flores is guilty of willful, deliberate and premeditated murder in the first degree of #KristinSmart @CBSSacramento pic.twitter.com/FXRVBZltYR
— Madisen Keavy (@madisenkeavy) October 18, 2022
Paul's father Ruben Flores was found not guilty of being an accessory after the fact by a separate jury.
Ruben Flores' verdict was reached on Monday, but the court waited until both juries had reached their verdicts to announce what was decided.
NOW: Ruben Flores is talking to media outside the Monterey Co Superior Court speaking to media.
— Madisen Keavy (@madisenkeavy) October 18, 2022
His lawyer is next to him. @CBSSacramento pic.twitter.com/gwgEqPQ7SQ
The trials were heard together for nearly three months, but Paul and Ruben were being tried separately. Ruben was accused of helping his son cover up the crime.
Paul's attorney made a motion for a mistrial after the jury saw a member of the prosecution hugging someone in the Smart family. That motion was denied.