Missed you. Missed this restroom. On the record at 9:18am.
Ruben and Susan Flores are seated in the front row of the right side of the courtroom. The media are seated in row 2. Seven of Paul Flores' jurors are seated in row 3 as members of the public. Five of Ruben Flores' jurors are seated in row 4.

Hi. I’m checking in a couple days early to catch everyone up before Friday’s hearing.

Defense Attorney Robert Sanger filed a motion for a new trial as well as another motion for acquittal on Friday, February 24 at 4:54pm. In basic terms, Sanger is requesting that the jury’s verdict be overturned, and for Paul Flores to get a new trial or to be fully acquitted. Here are his reasons.

Defense Attorney Robert Sanger has filed a motion to delay Paul Flores’ sentencing, to give him time to file a motion requesting a new trial.

In a hearing this morning, Sanger says he has been unable to obtain certified transcripts of the trial due to cost. Sanger says he has discovered "new information since the time of the verdict" which he would prefer not to go into at the moment, but believes will be part of the motion for a new trial.

More numbers: From what we can tell, Paul Flores’ jury has been deliberating for around 20 hours total. That’s just under 3 full court days.

Ruben Flores’ jury, who lost a juror on Thursday, have only been deliberating for 6 hours total since a new juror was sworn in. We’re being let into the courtroom right now. The Smart family and Ruben Flores are present.

We haven’t been told what’s happening yet.

BREAKING: One of Ruben Flores’ jurors was just excused Judge O’Keefe received information from one of Ruben Flores’ (female) jurors that another (male) juror discussed the case over the weekend in confession with his priest.

While we wait, here are some numbers.

Paul Flores' jury was released to deliberate on 10/4 at 2:59pm.

As far as we know, they deliberated through the end of Tuesday, all of Wednesday, part of Thursday, and only a short part of Friday morning. This adds up to about 15 1/2 hours of time, not counting breaks, the selection of a foreperson, and any other stoppages we don't know about.

(Note: These times are strictly based on the media's observations)

15 1/2 hours is just over 2 standard court days.

CORRECTION: Defense Attorney Robert Sanger did file a motion yesterday. We don’t know what that motion was about, and that was not the reason for the hearing this afternoon. Judge O’Keefe: “Ladies and gentlemen, late this morning, I received information that a particular member of the media has been taking photos of members of Paul Flores’ jury without their consent.”

Closing arguments for Ruben Flores’ jury happening right now. A few FAQs from this morning.

1) Neither verdict will be read until both juries finish deliberating. So even if Paul’s jury comes back with a verdict soon, we won’t hear it until Ruben’s jury has had time to deliberate and reach their own verdict.

Closing arguments continued. Give us strength. Defense Attorney Robert Sanger: “We got a juror question yesterday. I don’t think we’ve ever gotten a question during arguments before. But that’s okay. One of you asked about the testimony of [dog handler] Adela Morris.”

Some familiar faces in line this morning. Closing arguments for Paul Flores’ jury starting soon. For 50 minutes, Judge O’Keefe instructed Paul’s jurors on the laws that apply to the charges in this case.

The entire left side of the room is filled with Smart family members and supporters, along with members of the District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department.

It’s going to be weird when this routine is over.

I’m going to miss starting late on the days I got here early, and starting early on the days I got here late. We still haven’t been let into the courtroom.

Deputy Zaragoza: “Ladies and gentlemen, the Judge gives her very sincere apologies. We’ll all be back here at 1:30.”

Day 30: Susan Flores is present in the courtroom for the first time since opening statements. Defense Attorney Robert Sanger calls Detective Henry Stewart to the stand.

Stewart was the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department’s lead detective on the Kristin Smart case from June of 1996 through 1999.

We’ve got a late juror.

And my apologies to Olivia and Cameron, who I assumed were accidentally waving at me on the 101 this morning. Thanks for clearing that up ☕️ Our late juror called to say he couldn’t be here today.

At 9:45am, we were let into the courtroom.

Judge O’Keefe: “I discussed this with the attorneys, and what we think makes the most sense is to terminate the trial for today, and come back tomorrow at 10:30am.”

I’m here. Feeling myself today. Defense witness Dr. Elizabeth Johnson returns to the stand.

Deputy DA Christopher Peuvrelle does not object to designating her an expert in DNA, microbiology, and immunology.

This recap contains her testimony from yesterday afternoon and this morning.

Here goes nothing.
Nobody got a number today. Defense Attorney Robert Sanger calls Dr. David Carter to the stand.

Carter is a Professor of Forensics at Chaminade University in Honolulu, and holds a PhD in Microbiology.

“My area of expertise is death investigation.”

I’ll resume Butler’s post-lunch cross-exam later today.

Peuvrelle just called SLOSO Forensic Specialist back to the stand, and introduced a photo of Mike McConville’s cargo trailer parked alongside Ruben Flores’ house, with its back doors facing the backyard. Liddell confirms she took this photo.

Peuvrelle publishes a photo taken of Paul Flores’ bedroom during the 2/5/2020 search warrant, and asks her to circle a sheet on the bed that is white, with green foliage print.

Liddell is excused after only 4 minutes on the stand.

Some jurors are stuck in traffic, so we’re all just chilling. What’s up? Defense Atty Robert Sanger resumes his cross-examination of Forensic DNA Analyst Angela Butler.

Sanger: “Yesterday, you said below a 5 pH would be like battery acid.”

Butler: “I can clarify what I said, if you want.”

Sanger: “Milk is 6?”

Butler: “I don’t know the pH of milk.”

Everyone’s late today, but can you be late when nothing starts on time? At 8:58am, Judge O’Keefe apologizes to the jurors for last week’s delay.

“However, in case you are wondering, we are STILL ahead of schedule.”

The jurors laugh.

My mom’s here. Be cool. Defense Attorney Robert Sanger resumes his cross-examination of Jennifer ****: “Where we left off, we were looking for an exhibit. I want to start by establishing a timeline here. This appears to be correspondence back and forth between you and Justin?”

Jennifer: “Yes.”

Here we go. Deputy DA Christopher Peuvrelle calls Faye Springer at 10:40am.

Springer is a private contractor for the Sacramento District Attorney’s Crime Lab, working in trace evidence analysis.

Springer has 50 years of experience in trace evidence.

Here’s the story: we learned at 8am that today’s hearing was delayed until 10:15am.

I probably should have grabbed my badge before grabbing coffee, but I got excited. Most of the media before me are heading to the overflow room, so there’s still a seat in the courtroom for me. Judge O’Keefe: “Before we begin today, I did want to address the delay. One of the scheduled witnesses has fallen ill. So since we didn’t just want to cancel, we made other arrangements.”

Deputy DA Christopher Peuvrelle calls Shelby Liddell to the stand.