Caleb Flynn (left) and Emily Smith, one of his attorneys, on 28 September in Troy, Ohio. Photograph: APCaleb Flynn (left) and Emily Smith, one of his attorneys, on 28 September in Troy, Ohio. Photograph: APFormer American Idol contestant found guilty of killing wife during affairCaleb Flynn convicted of aggravated murder in shooting of Ashley Flynn, a schoolteacher and volleyball coach
Caleb Flynn, the former Ohio music pastor and one-time American Idol contestant accused of killing his wife to pursue a lover, was convicted of her murder on Tuesday.
As a judge read the guilty verdict, 40-year-old Flynn cried, shaking his head and closing his eyes at times. He faces up to life in prison.
In February, Ashley Flynn, a 37-year-old teacher and volleyball coach, was found dead at the couple’s home with two gunshot wounds to the head. Caleb Flynn told police his wife was the victim of a deadly burglary. The couple’s two daughters were in the home when police arrived.
Prosecutors argued the home invasion was fabricated, saying Caleb Flynn altered the crime scene to back up his narrative.
While Caleb Flynn claimed to be asleep during Ashley’s murder, his electronic devices showed movement, according to evidence shown at trial.
The state also presented evidence last week about Caleb Flynn’s years-long affair and fantasies of murdering his wife.
“At first it was: I want her dead. I wish she was gone. And then it was: if I could kill her and not go to jail, I would. And one night, he was up really late – he told me he was thinking about ways to kill her,” his former girlfriend, Alleigha Botner, testified.
The night before Ashley Flynn’s death, Caleb had also sent Botner a text saying: “I choose you. I’m free. Actions will come tomorrow, February 16, a day I’ll never forget.”
Caleb Flynn’s defense team focused on casting doubt over the state’s case.
They argued that some of Caleb Flynn’s texts where he spoke of hating his wife may have been to appease Botner. They also said the state lacked physical evidence to prove Caleb Flynn was the gunman, such as a recovered murder weapon.
“His being unfaithful doesn’t equal murder,” defense attorney Patrick Mulligan said.
Standing outside the courthouse after the Tuesday verdict, Mulligan told reporters: “While we respect the system certainly, we’re disappointed. I fully anticipate there will be a notice of appeal filed.”
Caleb Flynn’s murder trial brought his American Idol past into the public eye. He appeared briefly on the show’s 12th season, saying his wife who he “loved more than anything”, urged him to try out.
He will be sentenced on 5 October.
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