California Inmate Convicted of Killing Kristin Smart Stabbed in Prison Attack
Flores suffered second attack in under a year
Paul Flores, the man convicted of murdering Kristin Smart in 1996, was stabbed in a California prison, marking the second time he has been attacked behind bars within the past year.
Recreation yard attack leaves Flores in fair condition
Flores, 47, was stabbed by a fellow inmate at Pleasant Valley State Prison on Wednesday. The attack took place in the recreation yard before 3.30pm, according to the Associated Press. After receiving treatment at an outside medical facility, Flores returned to the prison in a “fair condition.”
Suspect placed in restricted housing as investigation proceeds
The inmate who attacked Flores has been placed in restricted housing, officials reported. Authorities recovered two inmate-manufactured weapons from the scene. The assault is currently under investigation as an attempted homicide.
History of inmate violence against Flores
Wednesday’s incident follows a similar attack from several months ago, when Flores was stabbed in the neck by another inmate at the same prison. Although he was initially in “serious condition,” Flores was able to return to the prison after two days of treatment. The connection between the two attacks remains unclear.
California college sued over alleged negligence
Flores, currently serving a 25-year to life sentence for Smart’s murder, was the last person seen with her when she vanished from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in 1996. While Smart’s body was never recovered, she was declared legally dead in 2002. Flores was arrested and convicted of first-degree murder in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Recently, Smart’s family filed a lawsuit against the California college, alleging negligence on the part of university officials. According to the family, the university could have prevented Smart’s death if they had taken appropriate measures in response to prior reports on Flores. Four female students had filed reports accusing Flores of stalking, harassing, and attempting to break into an apartment in the months preceding Smart’s disappearance. The family’s lawsuit claims that had the university conducted a thorough investigation and implemented disciplinary measures, Smart would likely still be alive.
The Independent has reached out to Flores’s lawyer and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for further comments.
Remembering Kristin Smart
Kristin Smart’s tragic disappearance and murder in 1996 shocked the nation. The case has remained in the public consciousness for decades, highlighting the importance of addressing and preventing violence against women and the significance of proper investigation and campus safety measures in educational institutions.
While Flores serves his sentence, the legal proceedings surrounding Smart’s case continue to shed light on the devastating consequences of unchecked behavior and the need for institutions to take responsibility in safeguarding their students.
