WATCH: Caleb Flynn ordered to register as ‘violent offender’ in Ohio
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TROY, Ohio (Courtroom Insider) — Caleb Flynn, the Ohio pastor convicted of killing his wife, appeared in court Thursday for a brief hearing in which he was told he must register as a violent offender.
The hearing comes two days after Flynn, also a former “American Idol” contestant, was found guilty of aggravated murder for shooting and killing his wife, Ashley Flynn.
Ashley was shot in the early hours of Feb. 16, while lying in her bed. Flynn initially called 911 and reported that someone had broken into their Tipp City home and killed her, but investigators quickly determined that his story didn’t add up. Police found evidence that Flynn was actually the person who shot Ashley and then staged the home to look like there had been a home intrusion.
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Because Flynn was found guilty of aggravated murder and four other murder charges, Ohio law requires that he register as a violent offender. At Thursday’s hearing, a judge explained that Flynn will be enrolled in the violent offender database for a period of 10 years.
When asked if he had any questions, Flynn’s voice cracked and he began to cry.
The judge said Flynn has the option to file a motion objecting to his registration as a violent offender at or before his sentencing next week.
Ashley Flynn’s family was aware of Thursday’s hearing but did not wish to attend, according to Miami County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Watkins.
Caleb Flynn is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Courtroom Insider’s Nate Eaton will be in the Ohio courtroom for the sentencing hearing, and we’ll livestream the proceedings on CourtroomInsider.com.
Click on the video player above to watch Thursday’s hearing.