The man arrested this week for the killing of a Central Coast college student nearly a quarter of a century ago made his first court appearance Thursday for his arraignment.
Paul Flores was in court in San Luis Obispo County to face a murder and sexual assault charge for the 1996 death of Cal Poly student Kristen Smart.
Also making a court appearance in a separate virtual hearing due to the pandemic was Ruben Flores, Paul’s father. Ruben is accused of helping his son deal with Smart’s body. Neither man entered a plea to the charges against them, with their arraignment continued to next week.
Flores was a fellow Cal Poly student who walked Smart back towards her dorm from an off-campus party. But, prosecutors say Smart ended up in his dorm room, where he attacked her.
Despite a number of search efforts, her body was never recovered, but prosecutors say they now know where to look.
Smart’s family issued a statement saying they weren’t surprised that there’s a delay in the case, but are happy the final quest for justice is underway.
