Worship leader, “American Idol” contender convicted of murder

A Miami County, Ohio, jury found former “American Idol” contestant and music pastor Caleb Flynn guilty of murder on Tuesday. Flynn, 40, was found guilty in the February fatal shooting of his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37. The jury returned its verdict after more than two hours of deliberation. Flynn appeared to tear up and cry when the verdict was read. The verdict was welcomed by the Ohio state attorney general’s office. Police in Tipp City, Ohio, praised the professionalism of prosecutors, investigators, the FBI, and numerous other law enforcement agencies involved in the high-profile case.

Flynn was found guilty of nine charges in total, including aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence, the Dayton Daily News reported. Ahead of closing arguments, the court dismissed two misdemeanor witness-intimidation counts. He will be sentenced on Oct. 5 and faces up to life in prison without parole.

Flynn was briefly a contestant on Season 12 of “American Idol” in 2013. In an interview at the time, he described himself as a music pastor and said that his wife encouraged him to audition for the show.

What has Flynn said about the verdict? His attorney said Flynn planned to appeal the verdict, as Flynn maintained his innocence. The evidence against him was circumstantial, the attorney said during closing statements. Prosecutors only proved that Flynn was having an affair, the attorney added.

What did prosecutors say? They alleged that Flynn shot his wife twice in the back of the head while she was asleep. He then reportedly staged their Tipp City, Ohio, home to look like an intruder had broken in and killed her. Flynn called 911, claiming the supposed intruder was responsible for the murder, and he was in another room while it happened.

Alleigha Botner, 24, testified during the trial that she and Flynn had an affair for 18 months ahead of the murder. Botner shared tens of thousands of text messages between her and Flynn, including ones in which Flynn said he wanted to kill his wife and not go to hell for it.

What church or churches did Flynn serve in? Jordan Hansen, a pastor at Christian Life Center in Dayton, Ohio, testified that Flynn was a volunteer on the worship team there. Flynn also did contract work as a worship leader, Hansen said.