Closer to Closure: A Conversation with the Smart Family

接近尾声:对话智慧家庭

Your Own Backyard

犯罪纪实

2023-10-19

55 分钟
PDF

单集简介 ...

One year after the conviction of Paul Flores, Chris sits down with the Smart family to discuss the trial, the concept of closure, and their memories of Kristin

单集文稿 ...

  • This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and sexual assault that will likely be.

  • Disturbing for some listeners.

  • Listener discretion is advised.

  • Four years ago, I drove up to the smart family home in Stockton to interview Stan and Denise smart for the first time.

  • Kristen, siblings Matt and Lindsay didn't know who I was yet and didn't participate in the original run of episodes.

  • This summer, I finally sat down with all four of them, this time in my living room, to discuss their thoughts and feelings about how the last 27 years have played out and how they're dealing with a resolution that's still something short of closure.

  • This is my conversation with the smart family.

  • So I'll just talk about the trial a little bit.

  • What was the hardest part of the trial for each of you?

  • It was interesting.

  • We knew very little, my wife and I.

  • I believe I'm correct on this regarding criminal justice.

  • And criminal justice is justice for the criminal and regarding their civil rights that you look out for and not for the deceased person or daughter and the defense in hand.

  • When I took the stand, I was accused of being the predator, of being threatening because I'm tall.

  • When I went out to visit and try to dialogue with him.

  • And then also, you know, since I put out posters regarding our missing daughter.

  • The only thing is all of these things were a very natural reaction from a father that has a missing daughter.

  • I mean, there was nothing unusual there, but they tried to turn the tables and say I was responsible for my daughter being missing.

  • So we learned a great deal.

  • It was a long time to sit on hard benches, even with cushions.