WATCH LIVE: Caleb Flynn to be sentenced Monday for aggravated murder of his wife
Published at | Updated at
TROY, Ohio — Caleb Flynn will be sentenced on Monday afternoon for the murder of his wife, Ashley Flynn.
Courtroom Insider’s Nate Eaton and Grace Wong will be in the Ohio courtroom for the hearing and will report live updates and post-hearing reaction.
Flynn, 40, was a pastor and former “American Idol” contestant who last week was found guilty of aggravated murder for fatally shooting Ashley Flynn on Feb. 16 as she was asleep in her bed. Prosecutors say after shooting his wife, Flynn staged their Tipp City, Ohio, home to look like an intruder had broken in and killed Ashley.
Flynn called 911 early that morning, telling dispatchers through sobbs that he was sleeping in another room and woke up to the sound of gunshots, then found his wife dead. Flynn said he thought someone had broken into the home, shot Ashley, and then fled.
Three days later, police placed Flynn under arrest for investigation of murder and evidence tampering. His motive, police believe, was desperation to continue a romantic relationship with his mistress, with whom he volunteered at their church, and keep his lucrative job in Ashley’s parents’ business.
RELATED | Who is Alleigha Botner?
On Tuesday, following an eight-day trial and just over two hours of deliberation, the jury reached its verdict. In addition to finding Flynn guilty of aggravated murder, they also convicted him on eight other charges, including multiple counts of murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.
In accordance with Ohio law, the judge could sentence Flynn to a minimum of 20 years in prison with or without parole, and up to a maximum of life in prison without parole.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Eastern Time (1 p.m. MDT). Watch the livestream in the video player above and read live updates from the courtroom HERE.