Former American Idol contestant told lover he dreamed of killing his wife, murder trial says | Ohio

The former Ohio pastor and American Idol contestant accused of fatally shooting his wife fantasized to his then-lover about killing his wife and sent her AI-generated love songs, according to evidence presented at trial this week.

Caleb Flynn, 40, is on trial for aggravated murder in connection with the Feb. 16 shooting death of Ashley Flynn. He is also charged with two counts of felonious assault and three counts of tampering with evidence, according to a March indictment. Flynn has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutors say Flynn — motivated by a desire to be with his girlfriend, Alleigha Botner — shot his sleeping wife twice in the back of the head. He allegedly altered the crime scene to resemble a deadly home invasion.

Flynn’s defense team admitted to the affair, but said during the trial that it did not make him a murderer. “A man can make selfish decisions without committing a crime,” defense attorney Emily Smith said.

Investigators recovered songs from Flynn’s phone, where he reflected on his friendship with Botner evolving into a romantic relationship.

“The first time I saw you the room disappeared, love at first sight even though I was scared,” sings a voice in a style reminiscent of Christian rock, according to the video broadcast by Court TV. “Life is empty now, from the moment I lost you,” the song ends.

A second version with similar lyrics but delivered in a somber tone was also played in court.

Botner was 20 when she met Flynn at their church, Botner testified. Flynn was 36 or 37 at the time.

“At first it was: I want her to die. I wish she would leave. And then it was: If I could kill her and not go to jail, I would. And one night he got up really late – he told me he was thinking of ways to kill her,” said Botner, now 24.

Flynn also repeatedly stated that he hated his wife in several texts to Botner.

During an August 2025 cruise to celebrate the married couple’s 15th wedding anniversary, Ashley Flynn found texts her husband had sent to Botner. She tried to arrange a coffee date with Botner. Botner avoided the conversation, saying she was busy.

In January, Botner gave Caleb Flynn an ultimatum: leave your wife or it’s over.

Around this time, Flynn sent him the AI-generated songs.

On February 14, two days before Ashley was shot, Botner said Flynn said he was going through a divorce and would finally be free from his wife, to which Botner said she didn’t believe him. “I told him that I don’t trust him and that I’m moving on with my life,” she said on the stand.

When Ashley Flynn was found dead, her sister Kayla Keyt was unaware of the case. She told police when Caleb was arrested that they had the wrong person. “I trusted Caleb with everything I had in me…He was completely innocent. I truly believed him with all my heart,” Keyt said.

The FBI then informed her of the affair.

Keyt said news of the affair left the couple’s two daughters “mostly heartbroken for Mom.”

“They said she loved daddy more than anyone in life. So why didn’t daddy love her so much?” she testified.

Flynn appeared briefly on the 12th season of American Idol in 2013, describing music as his passion and saying his wife pushed him to compete on the show.

The trial, which is expected to conclude by the end of next week, will resume on Monday.