Former ‘American Idol’ contestant Caleb Flynn found guilty of murdering wife Ashley

Former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn has been found guilty of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, in their Ohio home while she was sleeping.

Flynn, a former worship pastor, was convicted on September 29 of charges including aggravated murder after prosecutors argued that he killed Ashley and staged the scene to make it appear that an intruder had broken into their Tipp City home. He is due to be sentenced on October 5 and faces up to life in prison without parole.

Ashley, 37, was found fatally shot in the early hours of February 16 after police responded to a report of a burglary and shooting. Flynn and the couple’s two daughters, who were nine and 12 at the time, were also inside the house but were not injured.

Flynn initially told police that an intruder had entered the home and killed Ashley. During a 911 call, he became emotional and repeatedly cried out as he reported the shooting. He gave investigators different accounts about where he had been when the shooting happened, including saying he was in his daughters’ room and later that he had been sleeping on the sofa.

Prosecutors ultimately argued that there had been no intruder and that Flynn had staged the home to resemble a break-in. An FBI agent testified that the damage to the door was inconsistent with a forced entry, while the firearm used to kill Ashley was never recovered. Flynn’s defence maintained that prosecutors had not proved he was responsible for the shooting.

A major part of the prosecution’s case involved Flynn’s affair with Alleigha Botner. The pair had been involved in a relationship for more than two years, according to testimony, and Botner told the court about thousands of messages exchanged between them.

During the trial, prosecutors presented messages in which Flynn expressed hatred towards Ashley and discussed wanting her dead. In one message, Flynn allegedly wrote that he had been thinking about ways to kill her without going to prison. Botner also testified about messages between them in which they discussed Ashley’s death.

Flynn and Ashley had been married for 15 years and had two daughters. Ashley was described in her obituary as a devoted mother, substitute teacher, volleyball coach and volunteer. Her family said after Flynn’s conviction that no verdict could bring Ashley back or erase the pain her loved ones had endured.

Flynn previously appeared on season 12 of American Idol in 2013. He made it through the audition and early stages but did not reach the live rounds. During his appearance, he described himself as a music pastor from Tipp City and spoke warmly about Ashley.

Following the guilty verdict, Flynn’s defence attorney said he expected an appeal, maintaining that the defence was disappointed with the result. Flynn has continued to deny responsibility for Ashley’s killing.

Flynn is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on October 5, where he could receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole.