Paul Flores, the 47-year-old man convicted of murdering missing student Kristin Smart in 1996, was attacked in a California Prison for the second time on Wednesday.
Staff at Pleasant Valley State Prison saw another inmate stab Flores on Wednesday around 3:30 p.m. in the playground, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) told The Associated Press.
The attack, which is under investigation for attempted homicide, ended following verbal orders from staff, according to CDCR, and two “suspected inmate-made weapons” were recovered after the attack. ‘incident.
Flores was taken to a medical facility outside the prison to be treated for his injuries and returned to the prison in fair condition. No other inmates were injured.
KRISTIN SMART KILLER PAUL FLORES SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE FOR MURDER IN CALIFORNIA
Paul Flores was convicted in October 2022 of the murder of Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old California student who disappeared in 1996. She was declared legally dead in 2002.
The Prison Service said the unidentified inmate believed to be responsible for the attack had been placed in restricted accommodation.
This week’s attack on Flores marks the second time he has been stabbed in the central California prison since he was sentenced to 25 years to life in March 2023.
Paul Flores was stabbed in the courtyard of Pleasant Valley State Prison in California during an attack by another inmate. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, file)
Flores was hospitalized for two days last August after inmate Jason Budrow allegedly punched him in the neck during an attack in the prison yard. Budrow pleaded not guilty criminal charges, including attempted murder and assault by a prisoner serving a life sentence.
Authorities have not revealed a potential motive for either attack on Flores.
CALIFORNIA INMATE CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER IN ATTACK OF KRISTIN SMART KILLER
Paul Flores was arrested in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles on April 13, 2021 for the murder of Kristin Smart. (San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Flores was arrested in 2021 for the murder of Smart, a 19-year-old student at California Polytechnic State University who was last seen over Memorial Day weekend 28 years ago. He was convicted of the crime in 2022.
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Smart was pronounced dead in 2002 and her body was never found.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
