COALINGA, Calif. – In a surprising turn of events, Paul Flores, the convicted killer of college student Kristin Smart, was stabbed at Pleasant Valley State Prison in California. This marks the second time in the past year that Flores has been attacked by a fellow inmate.
The stabbing occurred in the recreation yard, resulting in Flores being transported to an outside medical facility for treatment. Fortunately, he was later returned to the prison in fair condition. The inmate suspected in the attack has been placed in restricted housing, with the incident being investigated as attempted homicide.
This recent attack on Flores is not the first time he has been targeted by another inmate. In August, he was slashed in the neck by a fellow prisoner in the same prison yard. The man accused in the previous attack, Jason Budrow, pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted murder and assault.
Authorities have not disclosed any possible motives for either of the attacks on Flores. His conviction in 2022 stemmed from Smart’s disappearance in 1996, with prosecutors alleging that Flores killed the 19-year-old during an attempted rape in his dorm room. Smart went missing from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo over Memorial Day weekend.
Despite extensive searches, her body has never been found. Flores was arrested in 2021, convicted in 2022, and sentenced last year for Smart’s murder. The case has captivated the public for years, shedding light on the importance of justice for victims of violent crimes.