The man charged with the 1996 murder of Cal Poly college student Kristin Smart is in court today. Prosecutors believe Paul Flores, 44, killed Smart during a rape, or an attempted rape, after the two had left a party near the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus. A judge will hear arguments and witness testimonies over the next three weeks and determine if there's enough evidence for a trial. Paul's 80-year old father Ruben Flores is being charged as an accessory for allegedly helping to move Smart's body. Paul and Ruben are accused of buried her body under the deck of Ruben's Arroyo Grande home. Investigators believe Smart's body was recently moved due to the increased activity and search warrants aimed at their home. Both have plead not guilty after they were arrested in April. Multiple search warrants have been served at Ruben and Paul's homes, including a search of the yard of the home in Arroyo Grande. The hearings that start Monday, August 2nd are to call witnesses for testimony and show physical evidence for the first time in front of the judge. The judge has denied the recording and use of electronic devices in the courtroom, but multiple news outlets have reports inside who are able to report back after each day's hearings. Paul was denied bail while Ruben posted bail shortly after his arrest in April. The podcast creator who has since brought Kristin Smart's case back into the eye's of the public is also reporting updates which can be found on his blog.
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