Jurors in the Caleb Flynn trial heard on Thursday, 24 September, that the former American Idol contestant allegedly told his mistress he wanted to kill his wife, Ashley Flynn, but 'not go to Hell' for it.
Alleigha Botner, 24, read the messages in court as prosecutors presented evidence against Flynn, 40, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated murder, multiple counts of murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness.
The trial is taking place in Miami County, Ohio, over Ashley's death at the couple's Tipp City home on 16 February 2026. Prosecutors allege that Flynn shot his wife and staged the home to make it appear an intruder was responsible.
The defence disputes that theory, pointing to the absence of a recovered firearm and challenging whether the evidence establishes that Flynn was the shooter.
Caleb Flynn Trial Focuses on Text Messages
For context, Botner testified that she worked as an intern and worship leader at the church Flynn attended. She said she and Flynn had an affair lasting about 18 months. Prosecutors have identified more than 100,000 messages exchanged between them, creating a substantial digital record at the centre of the case.
Botner read a message dated 16 May 2025. Flynn allegedly wrote, 'If I could literally kill her and not go to Hell, I would do it in a heartbeat. That's how dark and how hateful I feel.'
She also read other messages in which Flynn allegedly wrote, 'I hate her, loathe her, I want her dead.' In another exchange, he asked Botner to 'hire someone to take douche out,' using the crude nickname he had applied to Ashley.
Botner read one message she had sent to Flynn saying, 'I want to kill her, Caleb.' Flynn allegedly replied, 'That makes two of us.' She became emotional while reading the exchange.
The messages, standing alone, do not establish that Flynn acted on those statements. Prosecutors are presenting them as evidence relevant to motive and intent. The defence has argued that Flynn made ugly and hurtful remarks during an emotionally intense affair, rather than describing a genuine plan to kill Ashley.
Botner's testimony also covered the pair's repeated attempts to end their relationship. She said Flynn told her he wanted to divorce Ashley, while continuing to send messages about their future together.
Prosecutors argue that the messages show growing hostility towards his wife. The defence has challenged Botner's credibility and interpretation of the exchanges.
Messages Preceded Planned Divorce
The prosecution has placed particular emphasis on messages sent shortly before Ashley's death. Botner testified that Flynn told her he planned to speak to Ashley about divorce on 16 February.
She said Flynn sent messages suggesting that he had chosen Botner and that 'actions will come tomorrow.' Botner testified that she understood those words as a reference to divorce, not murder.
After learning that Ashley had been shot, Botner texted Flynn asking, 'Were you behind this?' She later acknowledged during testimony that she initially lied to the FBI about the affair and deleted at least one message. The defence has used those admissions to question her reliability.
The court also heard evidence about two AI-generated versions of a song connected to the relationship. Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Joseph Wilhelm testified that investigators found the audio while analysing data from 12 devices, including Flynn's iPhone.
The lyrics were attributed to Flynn, while the music and vocal versions were generated using artificial intelligence. One lyric read, 'In the third of every month, I still say your name like maybe the Lord might actually hear me pray.' Another referred to Heaven and losing someone.
Wilhelm described one version as 'a happier upbeat sad song' and the other as 'a sad sad song,' according to The Christian Post. It is a strange piece of evidence, but the prosecution's broader argument is that Flynn's devices preserve a detailed record of the relationship and his state of mind.
Ashley's father, Todd Smith, also testified that Flynn's account of an intruder did not make sense to him. Smith said he questioned why the family dogs had not reacted more strongly when Ashley was attacked.
His testimony reflected what he expected from the dogs, rather than independent proof identifying the attacker.
Ashley's mother, Jill Smith, described telling the couple's daughters that someone had broken into the home and hurt their mother. She testified that one child said, 'I don't know how and I don't know why but I know God's got a plan and He's going to work this for good.'
The prosecution has not recovered the firearm it says was used. The defence has highlighted that absence, while prosecutors have argued that a conviction does not depend on recovering the weapon.
Testimony is expected to continue when the trial resumes on Monday, with Flynn presumed innocent unless and until a jury finds him guilty.
