Idol Contestant on Trial in Wife’s Killing

Caleb Flynn, a former “American Idol” contestant and music pastor, is on trial in Ohio for allegedly fatally shooting his wife, Ashley Flynn, and staging the scene to resemble a home invasion. He has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and related charges. Prosecutors have presented more than 100,000 messages between Flynn and his alleged mistress, Alleigha Botner, including statements about wanting Ashley dead and considering how to kill her without going to prison. Botner testified that Flynn portrayed Ashley as a roommate, hated her and wanted to be with Botner, who said she now believes he murdered his wife; she initially denied their intimate relationship to the FBI before later cooperating. Investigators testified that doors showed little or no evidence of an outside break-in, while Ashley’s family described their shock and Flynn’s account that he discovered her after hearing a gunshot. The defense argues that infidelity, selfish behavior and circumstantial evidence do not prove murder, and Botner has not been charged.