American Idol star Caleb Flynn was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Monday, after being found guilty of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, on February 16.
The 40-year-old broke down in tears as he was convicted of aggravated murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence, after he staged the crime scene to make it appear as though an intruder was responsible for her death.
The jury deliberated for over two hours before they reached a verdict, and Miami County Common Pleas Judge Jeannine Pratt called his actions "abhorrent" before sentencing him to life behind bars.
Caleb's statement
Before his sentence was read out, Caleb maintained in a statement in court that he did not kill his wife, and apologized for how he had spoken about Ashley in texts sent to his mistress, Alleigha Botner.
"As I stand here before God, 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, as I did not kill my wife," he said in court. "I made vows to Ashley on our wedding day. I failed those vows."
© Facebook"Although words don't come close, I cannot apologize enough. You heard awful, hurtful things I said. I am so incredibly sorry," he said as he addressed her family. "As horrible as those things were, I want you to know I did not, and do not, mean them. I do not hate you. I love you all."
He then addressed his two daughters, calling them his "greatest joy in this life", before adding: "I have so many thoughts and dreams of raising you and seeing you grow up to be mighty women of God, but unfortunately, I can't. That's why I'm sorry."
His daughters speak out
Caleb's daughters wrote impact statements that were read in court by the family, with his younger daughter writing: "Dear Daddy. I don't know where to start. How could you do such a thing? I loved you with all my heart. Mommy was the perfect person...what did she ever do to make you hate her so much?"
"I cry and cry every day, and my heart breaks to see the people I love hurt. I've seen videos and pictures of you on YouTube," she continued. "It was your choice to go off with that dirty girl. It was your choice to leave that perfect girl, Ashley. It was your choice to leave your only two daughters. It was your choice to kill the only mother I've ever had."
© FacebookHis eldest daughter's statement read: "Did you ever think about how much pain you would bring your own two daughters? By the way, Ashley Flynn was the best thing that ever happened to you. You decided to throw it away for a girl who was half your age."
"You made me feel like an idiot thinking I could trust you... And by the way, I don't plan on coming to see you."
The final verdict
© FacebookThe judge condemned Caleb's actions in court, stating that he posed "a serious risk of harm to the public".
"In fact, the highest risk. Your actions were abhorrent. The layers of deceit, manipulation, and cruelty you showed are impossible to fathom," she said. "And, frankly, sir, you used your faith. The court finds that deeply disturbing. Your marriage did not need to end the way it did."
The worship leader shot Ashley inside their home in Ohio in the early hours of February 16, while their daughters slept in another room. He claimed that an intruder had broken in and killed her, but was arrested three days later.
The texts he sent to his mistress leading up to the murder were read out in court and included statements like "Actions will come tomorrow, February 16, a day I'll never forget," and "I just want her dead and gone". He competed on season 12 of American Idol in 2013, but didn't make it far in the main competition.
