Caleb Flynn found guilty on all charges in wife’s death TIPP CITY, Ohio — Former pastor and “American Idol” contestant Caleb Flynn has been found guilty on all charges in the murder of his wife. Flynn’s wife, Ashley, was found dead in their Tipp City home in February. Guilty Verdict A jury found Flynn guilty on all counts and gun specifications: aggravated murder, three counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and three counts of tampering with evidence. See the verdict as it reads here. The jury deliberated for just over two hours before returning a verdict. Defense attorney Patrick Mulligan said, anticipating the decision will be “fully tested.” Mulligan said they will file an appeal of the verdict due to lack of sufficient evidence. When asked about Caleb’s reaction, Mulligan said “he was upset.” When asked if they would have done anything differently, Mulligan said no. Prosecutors speak In the hours after the trial concluded, prosecutors in the case thanked Ashley’s family for their trust in authorities and the process. Prosecutors also read a statement from Ashley’s family, which said the verdict brought justice and accountability, but added that no verdict can bring her back to her loved ones. Trial Recap WLWT’s Karin Johnson has been covering the entire trial. See the latest updates here: During closings, the prosecution broke down the charges Caleb faces, discussed what the state must prove, outlined a potential motive, Flynn’s cell phone activity, and asked the jury to find him guilty on all charges. The defense questioned the evidence presented and the testimony of Flynn’s former lover, Alleigha Botner. Mulligan asserted that Flynn’s affair does not amount to murder, while also questioning Botner’s actions and motive. The judge then read extensive jury instructions before the jury entered the deliberation room. The bailiff noted that the jury received lunch first, so deliberations probably did not begin until around 1:15 p.m. During the trial, the state called dozens of witnesses, from special agents to experts and family members. The defense did not call a single witness. Jurors heard primarily from Flynn’s former lover, Alleigha Botner, who took the stand over two days and read dozens of the more than 100,000 text messages the two exchanged. Flynn and Botner exchanged more than 107,000 messages. On the stand, Botner read messages spanning months in which the two expressed hatred toward Ashley and discussed a future together. At one point, Botner became emotional while reading an exchange from July. “I wish I hadn’t said this,” Botner said before telling the jury that he had written, “I want to kill her, Caleb.” When a prosecutor asked who had sent that message, Botner responded: “Me.” Flynn responded, according to Botner, “That’s two of us.” an insulting nickname. In one message, Flynn allegedly wrote that Ashley had “ruined and taken everything” and that he couldn’t stand to see her or mention her. The messages also showed Botner repeatedly pressuring Flynn to leave his wife. She set several deadlines, and at times threatened to end their relationship if he didn’t comply. The state also called investigators and members of Ashley’s family to the stand, all providing different evidence for her case. While no witnesses were called, the defense spent time on the final day of testimony emphasizing the missing physical evidence, questioning the lead investigator about evidence that was not found or collected. Mike Morgan acknowledged that investigators did not find Ashley’s blood on Flynn or his clothing. He also testified that investigators did not obtain blood spatter test results and never recovered the gun used in the shooting. Morgan confirmed that Flynn was not tested for gunshot residue. “A gunshot residue test was never performed in this particular case, correct?” a defense attorney asked. “Correct,” 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 night of wife’s murder, learns of alleged affair Caleb Flynn trial: AI-generated songs written for ex-lover played in courtroom Lover takes position during second day of testimony in Caleb Flynn’s trial. Jurors listen to text messages from Ashley Flynn’s phone and watch Caleb Flynn’s police interviews.
