‘American Idol’ Alum Caleb Flynn Cries as He Gets Life for Wife’s Murder

Caleb Flynn will spend the rest of his life in an Ohio prison for killing his wife, Ashley Flynn, and staging the crime scene.

A judge sentenced the American Idol alum and music worship leader to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Monday, Oct. 5.

Caleb, 40, cried uncontrollably in court as family members read victim impact statements written by his two heartbroken daughters, ages 12 and 10.

Alyssa Flynn, 12, described the hurt and pain her father caused.

“You truly don’t understand how much you hurt my life and I wish you could feel the pain I have been through,” she wrote. “By the way, I don’t plan on coming to see you.”

The little girl told her father he had broken up their family by cheating and taking her mom’s life.

“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,” his daughter wrote.

Caleb sobbed as he listened to the statement from his youngest daughter Ava.

“She was my best friend. And then you chose to kill the only mother I ever had,” she wrote.

Ava also asked her father, “What did she ever do to make you hate her so much?”

A jury in Troy, Ohio, found Caleb guilty on all counts on Sept. 29, including aggravated murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

His former mistress testified against him and read text messages that showed him complaining about his wife, saying he hated her, and wanted to kill her to get out of the marriage.

Ashley Flynn was fatally shot as she slept in the couple’s home on Feb. 16.

Caleb frantically called 911 and claimed an intruder had broken into the house and opened fire on the mother of two, volleyball coach and substitute teacher.

At his sentencing, Caleb quoted the Bible, denied killing his wife, and apologized to his daughters.

“You both are my greatest joy in this life. Please know your daddy is so proud of you and loves you beyond what words can describe,” he said while crying and wiping his nose. “I could speak for hours and hours, but never forget that I love you.”

Just before handing down the sentence, Judge Jeannine Pratt told Caleb he’s a threat to the community.

“The court is left with one clear and obvious conclusion, that you Mr. Flynn, pose an extreme risk of harm to the public,” said Pratt.

The judge told Caleb his actions were “abhorrent,” and said he should have gotten a divorce instead of taking his wife’s life.

“The layers of deceit, manipulation and cruelty are hard to fathom,” the judge said. “And frankly sir, you used your faith to manipulate the lives of others.”

You can watch the full sentencing hearing here.