American Idol alum Caleb Flynn sobs as he makes self-serving claims during sentencing for wife’s execution

Caleb Flynn, an American Idol alum and former church pastor, cried and shook during his sentencing hearing and continued to maintain he did not kill his wife — despite being found guilty on all counts.

The judge threw the book at him and sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“I said my vows to Ashley on our wedding day,” Flynn, dressed in orange prison clothes, said through tears.

“I failed in those vows and through my decisions, I caused you incredible pain. Through those decisions, I’m sure you felt betrayal, confusion, anger and much more,” he said, his hands shaking as they held the papers he was reading.

Prosecutors say Flynn executed his 37-year-old wife in her bed while their two young daughters slept in their bedroom, all so he could start a life with his mistress Alleigha Botner, 24.

“What I am most ashamed of and regret most of all are the horrible things I said about Ashley,” Flynn told the judge. “I loved her and I love her. She was my wife. She was beautiful and incredible in so many ways”

“I didn’t kill my wife,” he said. “I will continue to fight for my innocence as long as the Lord allows me, because I did not kill my wife.”

Flynn also sobbed earlier in his statements when he spoke of regretting not being able to be there while his daughters were growing up.

“You both are my greatest joy in this life,” Flynn told the court. “Please know that your daddy is so proud of you and loves you beyond what words can describe…I have so many thoughts and dreams of raising you to become powerful women of God, but unfortunately I cannot.”

Flynn, a music pastor at an Ohio church, also addressed his devoted parents and brother in court as he cried.

Prosecutor Paul Watkins claimed that after Flynn committed the murder, he “immediately introduced an unknown intruder into the story and attempted to transform himself from Ashley’s murderer into another alleged victim.”

Five victims were scheduled to address the judge, which impacted statements from Ashley’s sister, Kayla Keyt.

Keyt said the other day: “One of Ashley’s daughters was lying next to me, sobbing on my shoulder, as they both often do, because she missed her mom and didn’t understand how her own father could do this to all of us.”

“Then she looked at me and asked ‘Why should I believe in Jesus if he allowed this to happen to us.’