Former American Idol singer and pastor found guilty of murdering wife

A former music pastor who was once a contestant on the TV talent show American Idol has been found guilty of murdering his wife. 

Prosecutors said Caleb Flynn, 40, staged an invasion after shooting Ashley Flynn, a 37-year-old teacher and volleyball coach, at their home in the US state of Ohio in February.

Flynn, who claimed his wife was killed by a burglar, wept in court after being found guilty on charges of murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

He could get up to life in prison without the chance of parole when he is sentenced on 5 October.

The verdicts were described as "disappointing" by Flynn's lawyer, who said he plans to file an appeal.

Flynn appeared on American Idol in 2013, performing in front of judges Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and Nicki Minaj.

He told viewers at the time that his wife had encouraged him to pursue his dreams by entering the contest.

Prosecutors told jurors during closing arguments on Tuesday that Flynn wanted out of his marriage when he shot his wife at their home in Tipp City, a suburb of Dayton.

Flynn and the couple's two daughters were at home when police arrived.

'Actions will come'

Matthew Joseph, an assistant Miami County prosecutor, said that the night before the shooting, Flynn had sent a text to his former mistress Alleigha Botner saying: "I choose you. I'm free. Actions will come tomorrow."

Prosecutors said Flynn was afraid to lose custody of his children, as well as his high-paying job at his wife's family business and his position in the church.

"He wanted to keep his mistress and have his daughters all to himself," Mr Joseph said.

The gun used to kill Mrs Flynn has not been found, but prosecutors said Flynn's fingerprints and DNA were all over the scene.

They also said his devices showed that he was moving about the house even though he told investigators he was sleeping when his wife was shot.

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Messages read out in court

Testifying in court, Ms Botner, who met Flynn in 2022 while she was an intern at his church, said Flynn hated his wife and had thoughts of killing her.

In one text message that Ms Botner read out in court, sent six months before the killing, Flynn wrote: "I was up until 4 a.m. last night crying, literally trying to think of ways to kill her and not go to jail."

Patrick Mulligan, Flynn's lawyer, told the jury that "his being unfaithful doesn't equal murder", adding: "The issue here isn't, 'Was he a good husband?'"

Mr Mulligan also told the jury that investigators never found evidence that Flynn fired a gun that day, and said messages sent to Ms Botner complaining about his wife were meant to make her feel good.

(c) Sky News 2026: Former American Idol singer and pastor found guilty of murdering wife