Caleb Flynn, a former American Idol hopeful who went viral when an embarrassing song he wrote for his mistress was played during his trial for the murder of his wife, told investigators he "didn't touch" his late spouse.
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The 40-year-old pastor is accused of fatally shooting his wife, 37-year-old Ashley Flynn, at their home in Tipp City, Ohio, in February. The prosecution alleges that Flynn, who appeared on American Idol back in 2013, shot his wife while she slept in their bedroom. Meanwhile, their two daughters, now 10 and 12, were asleep nearby in their room. He's also accused of staging a home invasion to cover for the alleged murder.
His motive for the brutal murder, according to the prosecution, is wanting to be Alleigha Botner, a 24-year-old he allegedly had an affair with for going on two years.
Flynn has adamantly denied any criminal wrongdoing. He is pleading not guilty to aggravated murder, tampering with evidence, and other charges related to the incident.
As testimony wrapped up on Sept. 28, a recording of a police interview with Flynn was played in court.
"I'm telling you, I didn't touch my wife," the church pastor insisted to the police, per The New York Post. "The evidence is a little contrary to that," an investigator shot back, according to the outlet.
The defense reportedly called no witnesses.
'American Idol' Alum's Embarrassing Ballad For Mistress Provides Gallows Humor During Murder Trial
In a bit of gallows humor, a song the American Idol alum allegedly wrote for his mistress and reportedly completed with the use of AI was played during the murder trial. Footage of the now-infamous viral moment, widely shared across social media, shows onlookers trying to stifle laughter at the maudlin ballad. The tune features maudlin lyrics, including heartfelt nuggets like "Now the third of every month, hits me like rain," and "life lost all meaning the moment you were gone."
During the footage, Flynn appears to dab sweat off his brow with a tissue.
Botner, Flynn's alleged mistress, was previously called to the stand to read text messages the two exchanged. "It says, 'I want to kill her, Caleb,'" she read through tears to the court. "He said, 'That makes two of us."
"I just wish I didn't say this," Botner, who was a worship leader at Flynn's church, added.
Meanwhile, Flynn claims an intruder killed his wife while he slept in one of his daughters' bedrooms. The defense pointed out that a murder weapon was never found. They also noted that an affair, even if it included embarrassing ballads, didn't prove that Flynn killed his wife.
Flynn faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.
Closing arguments are scheduled for today.
