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Former 'American Idol' Contestant Sentenced to Life for Wife's Murder

11:14 PM ETConfirmed

Entertainment Desk

In Short: Caleb Flynn, a former pastor and 'American Idol' contestant, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his wife, Ashley.

Caleb Flynn, 40, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, and staging the crime scene to make it appear as if an intruder had committed the act.

Flynn, a former pastor and contestant on 'American Idol' in 2013, called 911 on February 16, reporting that his wife had been shot by an intruder at their home in Tipp City, Ohio.

Judge Jeannine Pratt described Flynn's actions as 'abhorrent' and 'impossible to fathom,' emphasizing the 'layers of deceit, manipulation, and cruelty' he exhibited.

Flynn admitted to his actions, apologizing to his wife's family and his daughters, Alyssa and Ava, for the pain he caused.

In her statement, Judge Pratt noted that Flynn's daughters have been profoundly affected by their mother's death, with one daughter's letter to her father expressing disbelief and pain.

Flynn's daughter Alyssa read a searing letter on her mother's behalf, urging her father to 'confess and repent' to God and accept his fate.

The judge received over a dozen victim impact statements, with several family members asking for the maximum sentence due to the profound impact on the children.

Flynn's defense claimed he was asleep when he heard gunshots and found his wife dead in bed after discovering the garage door open, but the jury rejected this claim.

The prosecution alleged that Flynn 'executed' his wife to be with his mistress and manipulated the crime scene to cover his tracks.

Flynn's actions were described as 'dangerous' with 'no regard for human life,' and he was found guilty of aggravated murder, multiple counts of murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence.

Background

What's confirmed

• An Ohio man who was found guilty of murdering his wife and staging the crime scene to make it seem as if an intruder had broken into their home and fatally shot the mother of two was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
• Caleb Flynn, 40, a former pastor who once appeared as a contestant on "American Idol" in 2013, was found guilty of aggravated murder and multiple counts of murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of his wife, 37-year-old Ashley Flynn.
• Caleb Flynn called 911 early on Feb. 16 to report that his wife had been shot by an intruder at their home in Tipp City, north of Dayton.
• Pratt said that after considering the evidence in the case, there is "one clear and obvious conclusion" -- that Caleb Flynn poses the "highest risk" of harm to the public -- and admonished the "layers of deceit, manipulation and cruelty" that he has shown.
• "You could have walked away. You could have separated from her and left her here on this earth to be able to be with the people that need her, who loved her, who looked forward to having her in their lives. But instead, through your greed, your selfishness, your lust, and your cruelty, you chose to take Ashley's life, and in doing so, you did far more than take the life of your wife," Pratt said.
• "I take complete accountability for my words and my decisions," he said.
• He apologized for not being able to see them grow up and said through tears that he misses them "more than you'll ever know."
• The judge said she received over a dozen victim impact statements, and several members of Ashley Flynn's family addressed the court prior to the sentence being handed down, speaking to the impact the murder of their mother has had on his daughters, Alyssa and Ava, and asking for the maximum possible sentence.
• In closing, she said her family has "never been stronger" and she doesn't plan to visit him in prison.
• Prosecutors alleged that Caleb Flynn "executed" his wife by shooting her twice in the back of the head in bed so that he could be with his mistress and manipulated the crime scene to make it seem as if an intruder had broken in through the garage.
• He apologized to his wife's family and asked for their forgiveness.
• "I am so sorry, I am so sorry, and pray that you can one day forgive me." Caleb Flynn also addressed members of his family, including his young daughters.

What's still developing

• The other daughter's letter began "Dear Caleb", rather than addressing him as her father, and asked him to "tell everyone what you did it and receive your outcome".
• "You made me feel like an idiot thinking I could trust you," his daughter said.
• In another message, he wrote: "I just want her dead and gone."
• One of his daughter's letters read: "Dear Daddy, I don't even know where to start. How could you do such a thing?"
• She also said: "Mommy was the perfect person... And then you chose to kill the only mother I ever had."

Sources

• ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videoslink
• ABC7 San Franciscolink
• BBClink
• CBS Newslink
• Dayton Daily Newslink
• Deadlinelink
• LAmaglink
• LiveNOW from FOXlink
• New York Daily Newslink
• NewsNationlink
• Rolling Stonelink
• Springfield News-Sunlink
• Taste of Countrylink
• WCIVlink
• eonline.comlink
• wlwt.comlink
• COURT TV — video link