A former American Idol contestant and church worship leader has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering his wife in Ohio.
Caleb Flynn, 40, was sentenced on Monday, days after a jury found him guilty of all charges following an eight-day trial.
Flynn had served as a worship leader at a church, and told the court before sentencing that he was standing before God, whom he described as his “ultimate judge”.
However, prosecutors argued that Flynn used his position within the church to maintain his reputation while allegedly planning his wife’s murder.
Flynn was convicted of aggravated murder, three counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, three counts of tampering with evidence and two counts of intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness.
Prosecutors said Flynn shot his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37, twice at their home in the early hours of 16 February before staging the scene to make it appear as though an intruder had broken in. They also presented evidence that the handgun allegedly used in the killing was missing from Flynn’s truck when police arrived.
The couple had two daughters, one of which wrote a letter to her father that was read aloud in court. In the letter, she appealed to her father to turn to God, telling him: “Affairs are a big sin. But there is still a chance.”
The letter continued: "There's a choice for everything in life. All you have to do is tell God that you're sorry and that you want to confess and repent to Him. I promise you, it won't take away your punishment, but you will have a life in heaven someday."
Prosecutors argued Flynn killed Ashley because he wanted to start a new life with a woman with whom he had been having an affair. The woman, Alleigha Botner, testified during the trial that Flynn had previously spoken about ways to kill Ashley.
Prosecutors also presented messages they said Flynn sent to Botner shortly before Ashley’s death, including one in which he wrote: “I choose you. I’m free. Actions will come tomorrow.”
Flynn continues to maintain his innocence. Speaking before he was sentenced, he told the court: “As I stand here before God, who is my ultimate judge, I am not lying when I say I did not kill my wife.”
“I will continue to fight for my innocence as long as the Lord allows me to,” he added.
Flynn also addressed his two daughters, describing them as the “greatest joy in this life”.
His daughters also gave statements to the court, with one asking her father: “How could you do such a thing?” The other said she did not plan to visit him in prison, telling him: “You truly don’t understand how much you hurt my life.”
The prosectors argued that Flynn stood to benefit financially from Ashley’s death, including through life insurance and his work with her family’s business.
Flynn’s defence attorney, Patrick Mulligan, said he intends to appeal the conviction and maintained that his client is innocent. During closing arguments, Mulligan told jurors that the prosecution had connected “a couple of meaningless dots” but had not proved the case.
Flynn first became known publicly as a contestant on Season 12 of American Idol.
