WATCH LIVE | Jurors deliver verdict in Caleb Flynn trial

TIPP CITY, Ohio —

A verdict has been reached in the murder trial of Caleb Flynn, the former pastor and “American Idol” contestant accused of killing his wife.

The jury deliberated for just over two hours before returning its verdict.

WLWT will broadcast the verdict live in the video player above

WLWT’s Karin Johnson covered the entire trial. See the latest updates here:

Flynn is accused of shooting and killing his wife, Ashley. She was found dead at their Tipp City home in February.

Flynn faces nine counts: aggravated murder, three counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and three counts of tampering with evidence.

During the hearings, the prosecution detailed the charges against Caleb, discussed what the State must prove, described a potential motive, Flynn’s phone activity, and asked the jury to find him guilty on all counts.

The defense disputed the evidence presented and the testimony of Flynn’s former mistress, Alleigha Botner.

Defense attorney Patrick Mulligan argued that Flynn’s case did not amount to murder, while questioning Botner’s actions and motives.

The judge then read lengthy instructions to the jury before the jury entered the deliberation room. The bailiff noted that the jury was served lunch first, so deliberations probably didn’t begin until around 1:15 p.m.

During the trial, the state called dozens of witnesses, ranging from special agents to experts to family members.

The defense did not call any witnesses.

Jurors heard most from Flynn’s former mistress, Alleigha Botner, who testified over two days and read dozens of the more than 100,000 text messages the two men exchanged.

Prosecutors say Flynn and Botner exchanged more than 107,000 messages. On the stand, Botner read messages spanning months in which both expressed hatred of Ashley and discussed a future together.

At one point, Botner became emotional while reading an exchange from July.

“I just wish I hadn’t said that,” Botner said before telling the jury she wrote, “I want to kill her, Caleb.”

When a prosecutor asked who sent the message, Botner replied, “Me.”

Flynn responded, according to Botner, “That makes two of us.”

Botner testified that the couple often referred to Ashley using an insulting nickname. In one message, Flynn reportedly wrote that Ashley “ruined and took everything” from him and that he couldn’t stand the sight or mention of her.

The messages also showed Botner repeatedly pressuring Flynn to leave his wife. She set several deadlines, sometimes threatening to end their relationship if he didn’t meet them.

The state also called investigators and Ashley’s family members to the stand, all providing different pieces of evidence for their case.

Although no witnesses were called, the defense spent time on the final day of testimony pointing out the absence of physical evidence, challenging the lead investigator over evidence that had not been found or not collected.

Detective Sgt. Mike Morgan acknowledged that investigators did not find Ashley’s blood on Flynn or his clothes. He also said investigators failed to get results on blood spatter evidence and never found the gun used in the shooting.

Morgan confirmed that Flynn was not tested for gunshot residue.

“There was never any gunshot residue testing in this particular case, was there? » asked a defense lawyer.

“That’s right,” Morgan replied.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Both sides rest in Caleb Flynn murder trial after testimony focuses on digital evidence

Caleb Flynn trial: victim’s family recounts the night of his wife’s murder and learns of the alleged affair

Caleb Flynn trial: AI-generated songs written for ex-mistress played in courtroom

‘I wish I didn’t say that’: Ex-mistress receives emotional readings on stand at Caleb Flynn trial

Former mistress takes the stand for second day of testimony in Caleb Flynn trial

Jurors hear text messages from Ashley Flynn’s phone, watch Caleb Flynn’s police interviews