The former American Idol contestant on trial for murdering his wife allegedly texted his mistress about his heinous plan to kill his wife in the days leading up to her death, prosecutors said in court this week.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Ohio prosecutors claim, in courtroom video posted to Court TV, that Caleb Flynn sent a message to his secret lover expressing his desire to end his wife's life.
"I was up until 4 a.m. last night crying. Literally trying to think of ways to kill her and not go to jail," read one of thousands of messages he allegedly sent to his mistress in the year before Ashley Flynn, 37, was found shot dead in her bed in February.
Flynn told 911 operators that a burglar broke into the couple's home and shot his wife.
Investigators arrested him a few days later on accusations that he killed Ashley and staged the scene.
'American Idol' Contestant Charged With Murder
The American Idol alum allegedly sent a daunting text to his mistress before executing his wife: "I choose you. I'm free. Actions will come tomorrow, February 16, a day I'll never forget."
His mistress has not been charged with any crimes, PEOPLE reported, citing authorities.
His defense attorney told the court Flynn had a fling with another woman, but denied that he killed anyone.
"Caleb is not on trial for being a bad husband. He's not on trial for cheating," lawyer Emily Smith argued. "A man can fail as a husband without being a murderer."
Flynn sang on the 12th season of American Idol, which was won by Candice Glover. He said on the show that his wife pushed him to try out for the program.
"I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty. I love her," he said.
Prosecutors said Flynn confessed in one of his text messages to his lover that "If I could literally kill her and not go to hell, I would do it in a heartbeat."
Caleb has been charged with murder, aggravated murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and witness intimidation, according to his online court records.
The disgraced singer pleaded not guilty to all charges.
