Kristin Smart killer Paul Flores attacked again in prison
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COALINGA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The man convicted of killing Kristin Smart has been attacked again inside Pleasant Valley State Prison.
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the attack on Paul Flores is being investigated as an attempted homicide.
DA: Coalinga inmate charged for attack on Paul Flores
Flores was behind bars to serve 25 years to life for the first-degree murder of Kristen Smart, who was a freshman at Cal Poly when she was reported missing in May 1996. Flores was arrested in 2021 following a 25-year investigation into the case. Flores was admitted into Pleasant Valley State Prison on March 30, 2023. Flores was previously attacked in August 2023 by a fellow inmate.
This most recent attack took place on Wednesday afternoon. Staff reported that Flores was stabbed by another incarcerated person in a recreation yard. Officers responded and recovered two inmate-manufactured weapons at the scene.
According to the CDCR, Flores sustained injuries during the incident and was transported to an outside medical facility. He has since returned to Pleasant Valley State Prison and his condition is described as fair. No other injuries were reported in the incident.
The person who attacked Flores has not been identified, but prison staff say the attacker has been placed in restricted housing as the investigation continues.
