Alleigha Botner testified on Wednesday that Caleb Flynn repeatedly spoke about hating his wife and wanting her dead.
Botner, 24, told jurors Flynn also referred to Ashley as 'Spawn of Satan'. Her evidence came during the Caleb Flynn trial over the death of Ashley Flynn, 37, who was shot dead on 16 February 2026.
Prosecutors say Flynn's relationship with Botner forms part of their motive theory in the case. Caleb Flynn, 40, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder and aggravated murder.
Flynn previously appeared on season 12 of American Idol. During an interview on the programme before his elimination, he described himself as 'kind of a crybaby'.
His trial continues as jurors hear evidence concerning Ashley Flynn's death and the prosecution's case against him.
Ex-Lover Describes Relationship During Caleb Flynn Trial
Botner testified that she met Flynn when she was 20 and interning at Christian Life Church. Flynn was part of the church's worship team, while Botner was interning under its main worship leader. She said she initially did not know he was married because he did not wear a wedding ring.
By March 2024, however, Botner said she knew Flynn was married when their relationship became sexual. She acknowledged her own role in the affair during her testimony.
'It was completely wrong, and I shouldn't have,' she said. Botner testified that the relationship continued for more than a year. She said Flynn told her his marriage had effectively become a roommate arrangement and claimed his wife had cheated on him.
According to Botner, Flynn said he remained married because of the couple's two daughters. Prosecutors also say his employment with his father-in-law and the family business was another factor in their theory about why he did not divorce Ashley.
Botner estimated that she and Flynn exchanged as many as 300 messages a day. She testified that Ashley was rarely referred to by name because Flynn said she 'wasn't worthy of being called her first name'.
Instead, Botner said Flynn used derogatory names, including 'Spawn of Satan'. She also testified that he repeatedly spoke about hating Ashley and wanting her dead. Those claims remain Botner's testimony and form part of the prosecution's case against Flynn.
The pair also got matching lightning bolt tattoos during their relationship, Botner told jurors. She showed the court the tattoo on her arm and said Flynn's was placed in his armpit. According to Botner, it was somewhere his wife would not see it.
Caleb Flynn Trial Hears Events Before Ashley's Death
Botner said she eventually gave Flynn ultimatums and deadlines to leave his wife. She ended their relationship in early January 2026. According to her testimony, they did not speak again until 14 February.
Botner testified that Flynn contacted her that day and said, 'I'm finally free of Ashley.' She said they met in person on 15 February.
According to Botner, Flynn told her he had already informed Ashley that he wanted a divorce and planned to tell his in-laws the following day.
Ashley Flynn was killed in the early hours of 16 February. Flynn has pleaded not guilty, and jurors must assess the prosecution's account against the evidence presented at trial.
Botner also described why she initially concealed the affair from investigators. She testified that she feared damage to her reputation and worried she could lose her job.
'I was selfishly afraid that my reputation was going to be ruined and that I was going to lose my job,' she said. 'And, now that there was a murder attached, I didn't want to be attached to that in any way.'
Botner said she admitted the relationship after investigators confronted her with the messages she exchanged with Flynn. Her initial denial is now part of the context jurors have as they consider her testimony about what Flynn allegedly said during their relationship.
Ashley Flynn was killed in the couple's bedroom during the early hours of 16 February. Prosecutors have focused on Flynn's relationship with Botner as they seek to establish what they allege was his motive.
Botner's testimony gave jurors an account of the affair and what she says Flynn told her about his marriage.
Her evidence also came with an important credibility issue. Botner admitted that she initially lied to FBI agents after Ashley's death and denied having a romantic or sexual relationship with Flynn. She said she acknowledged the affair after investigators confronted her with text messages.
Botner told the court she had once loved Flynn. Asked how she feels about him now, she answered, 'I hate him.'
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