Ex-classmate convicted of murdering long-missing California scholar Kristin Sensible By Reuters

By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) -A former classmate of Kristin Sensible, the California school freshman whose 1996 disappearance had lengthy been one of many state’s most sensational unsolved crimes, was discovered responsible on Tuesday of first-degree homicide for her loss of life.

The responsible verdict in opposition to Paul Flores, 45, was returned by a 12-member jury in Monterey County Superior Courtroom on the finish of a three-month trial. He was arrested and charged with Sensible’s loss of life in April final 12 months.

Flores faces a most penalty of 25 years to life in jail when sentenced on Dec. 9.

“At this time, justice delayed just isn’t justice denied,” San Luis Obispo County District Legal professional Dan Dow informed a information convention.

A separate jury acquitted the defendant’s father, Ruben Flores, 81, accused of serving to to cover Sensible’s physique, of being an adjunct to homicide after the actual fact.

Sensible, who was 19 when she went lacking, was final seen strolling to her dormitory on the campus of California Polytechnic State College in San Luis Obispo, about 150 miles (240 km) northwest of Los Angeles, at about 2 a.m. on Might 25, 1996. She was getting back from an off-campus occasion.

Prosecutors alleged Paul Flores killed her throughout a rape or tried rape. Her stays have by no means been recovered though investigators have stated they searched 18 places for her physique.

Flores, lengthy the principle suspect in her disappearance, had informed investigators he had left the identical gathering with Sensible however parted firm from her a few block from her dorm.

Prosecutors and Sheriff Ian Parkinson each credited a 10-part documentary podcast, “Your Personal Yard,” launched by freelance journalist Chris Lambert in 2019 with unearthing new proof and witnesses that helped investigators crack the case.

Delays within the investigation of the case prompted state lawmakers to go laws requiring schools and universities to share info extra rapidly about lacking college students with off-campus police.

In accordance with a courtroom account revealed by the San Luis Obispo Tribune newspaper, Paul Flores flinched because the responsible verdict was learn. The sufferer’s father, Stan Sensible, reacted with a smile and put his round her mom, Denise Sensible, who was in tears.

Protection lawyer Robert Sanger informed The Tribune afterward that “the case continues to be pending,” however declined additional remark. Throughout his summation to jurors, Sanger asserted there was “no proof of a homicide.”

The trial was moved from San Luis Obispo County in a change of venue requested by protection legal professionals due to intense pretrial publicity surrounding the investigation.

Sheriff Parkinson vowed that the case would stay open till the sufferer’s stays are discovered and returned to her household.

Stan Sensible, talking to reporters following the trial, expressed his appreciation of the result however added, “With out Kristin, there is no such thing as a pleasure or happiness on this verdict.”