California Crime Stories

Update Minisode!

Hey! It’s been a minute since you heard from us…but we’re back with an update minisode! Since we released our last episode in March, there have been several notable developments in cases that we've shared with you on the podcast.

Riverside PD is offering a $50,000 reward (valid until 1/31/22) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Cheri Jo Bates’s killer. Contact the Riverside PD’s Homicide Cold Case Unit by email at cjb@riversideca.gov with any information.

Apply for the Cheri Jo Bates Memorial Endowed Scholarship: https://rcc.academicworks.com/opportunities/12756

Apply for or donate to the Kristin Smart Scholarship: https://www.kristinsmart.org 

Our recommendation for this episode: The Great British Baking Show! 

Sources: 

  • Charles V. Bagli, “Robert Durst Found Guilty of Murder After Decades of Suspicion.” NYT https://nyti.ms/30vDF6E 
  • Charles V. Bagli, “Robert Durst Sentenced to Life in Prison for Friend’s Murder.” NYT https://nyti.ms/3wOaUOv 
  • Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions (2020 edition). “Special Circumstances: Lying in Wait” https://bit.ly/3CldT27
  • Brian Melley, “Robert Durst sentenced to life in best friend’s murder.” ABC News https://abcn.ws/30sGHZE 
  • Paul Vercammen, Stephanie Becker, and Cheri Mossburg, “Robert Durst was sentenced to life in prison today. Here’s what happened during his hearing.” CNN https://cnn.it/3ci9qCt 
  • Karen Matthews and Michael R. Sisak, “Robert Durst charged with 1982 murder of wife Kathie Durst.” AP https://bit.ly/3CjWMNW  
  • Christine Hauser, “Kristin Smart Case: A Timeline of Searches and Arrests.” NYT https://nyti.ms/31VlpnC 
  • Ashton McIntyre, “Paul, Ruben Flores plead not guilty, trial set for April 25.” KSBY https://bit.ly/3qHt3fB 
  • KSBY Staff, “Human blood found in multiple soil samples taken from Flores home, forensic expert testifies.” KSBY https://bit.ly/2YQm3lb 
  • KSBY Staff, “Archaeologists testify anomaly found in soil at Flores home was consistent with burial site.” KSBY https://bit.ly/30u62SB 
  • Matt Fountain and Kaytlyn Leslie, “Kristin Smart case; Paul and Ruben Flores appear in SLO court.” SLO Tribune https://bit.ly/3Fn3sN4 
  • City News Service, “Reward offered for conviction in decades-old Riverside homicide.” The Press-Enterprise https://bit.ly/3kGw24i 
  • Kevin Fagan, “Zodiac Killer case solved? Case Breakers group makes an ID, but police say it doesn’t hold up.” SF Chronicle https://bit.ly/3qKjXPk 
  • Dani Anguiano, “Case of the Zodiac Killer takes another twist - but police say it isn’t solved.” The Guardian https://bit.ly/3kAHLBt 
  • Meryl Kornfield, “the Zodiac Killer sent a cipher 51 years ago. A team of amateur code-breakers just cracked it.” The Washington Post  https://wapo.st/3GZKfSE 
  • The Case Breakers’ Zodiac press release https://bit.ly/3Fnj0Rk