Kristin Smart killer Paul Flores in ‘fair condition’ following apparent prison attack
The man convicted of murdering Cal Poly freshman Kristin Smart is in “fair condition” Thursday after a prison assault landed him in the hospital, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed to The Tribune.
Paul Flores, who is incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, was transported from the prison in Coalinga to “an outside medical facility” in “serious condition” on Wednesday, the agency said.
The agency said the circumstances around Flores’ injuries are being investigated and cannot be released at this time.
Harold Mesick, Flores’ lawyer, told the Tribune his client was attacked in prison and hospitalized Wednesday morning.
As of Thursday morning, Mesick said, neither he nor Flores’ parents had been told any details about what happened to Flores in prison or which hospital he was transported to.
The Department of Corrections told The Tribune Flores was transported back to the Coalinga prison Thursday afternoon.
A jury convicted Flores of murdering Smart on Oct. 18 after a three-month trial. He was sentenced to 25 years to life for the crime in March.
A separate jury acquitted his father, Ruben Flores, of helping his son conceal the crime.
Flores was transferred to North Kern State Prison in Delano in March before being moved to Pleasant Valley State Prison in August.
John Segale, the Smart family spokesperson, told The Tribune on Thursday the family does not have any comments on Flores’ prison attack.
This story was originally published August 24, 2023 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Kristin Smart killer Paul Flores in ‘fair condition’ following apparent prison attack."
