Former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn wept in court once again as jurors heard disturbing testimony about the discovery of his wife’s body on the second day of his murder trial.
Flynn, 40, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges stemming from the fatal shooting of his 37-year-old wife, Ashley, at the couple’s home in Tipp City, Ohio, on February 16.
Jurors were shown photographs of Ashley’s body in the couple’s bedroom while David Hammond, an investigator with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, testified about the scene.
Flynn appeared overcome with emotion, tightening his face and sobbing as the graphic images were presented in court.
Hammond explained that one photograph showed Ashley’s body as investigators found it.
He said a white towel was positioned behind her head, with what appeared to be blood visible on it, while her body was covered by a white comforter.
While discussing another image, Hammond told the jury that a substantial amount of blood had soaked through the pillow and the bedding beneath Ashley.
The couple’s daughters, who are 10 and 12, were reportedly inside the single-story ranch-style house when their mother was allegedly killed.
Former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn cried in court as jurors heard graphic testimony about how his wife was found during the second day of his murder trial
Flynn is charged in connection with the fatal shooting of his wife, Ashley
Ashley was discovered dead at the residence on February 16, after Flynn told police that the family home had been broken into.
Investigators later arrested Flynn, alleging that he had manipulated the scene in an effort to make the death appear to be the result of a break-in.
He faces charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence, and has denied all of the allegations by pleading not guilty.
Hammond also outlined the evidence that led investigators to question whether the reported burglary had actually taken place.
He said one notable detail was the apparent absence of damage to the soft wood around the doorframe.
According to Hammond, a person forcing open a door would generally use a pry tool between the door and its frame to create leverage and gain entry.
In a typical burglary, he explained, investigators often find displaced strike plates or visible tool marks in the softer wood surrounding the frame.
Hammond further testified that he found no signs of damage to the deadbolt.
Both locks were unlocked when he examined the door, a detail he described as unusual.
He also told jurors that he saw no indication that a pry tool had been inserted between the door and the frame.
Hammond added that normally when screws are plied from doorframes, they normally take pieces of wood with them. ‘We did not see that here,’ he told the court.
Ashley was found dead in the home on February 16, after Flynn told law enforcement that there had been a break-in at the residence
Flynn had been seen on American Idol’s 12th season in 2013
Flynn’s trial started on Friday with opening statements from prosecutors highlighting over 100,000 messages he sent to a woman he was having an affair with.
It is in these text messages that prosecutors claimed Flynn, who competed on American Idol talent show in 2013, expressed his desire to have Ashley killed.
During opening statements on Friday, Prosecutor Paul M. Watkins said that Flynn, a father of two, had been having a ‘yearslong’ affair with the unknown woman.
Watkins claimed that Flynn had messaged his mistress saying: ‘If I could literally kill her and not go to hell I would do it in a heartbeat. That is how dark and hateful I feel.’
In another, Watkins claimed Flynn had also messaged her saying: ‘I was up until 4AM last night crying. Literally crying to think of ways to kill her and not go to jail.’
Watkins added: ‘Those two messages are Caleb Flynn’s own words, words communicated to his mistress. Those messages were sent months apart.’
Flynn’s defense admitted to the affair but have said that the state built its case on a theory, and that they would be unable to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
Defense attorney Emily Smith told the court: ‘The evidence will show text messages between Caleb and his mistress.
‘At times Caleb said hurtful, selfish things about his wife Ashley to appease his mistress.
‘They will also demonstrate that he was texting his mistress about making plans regarding a divorce throughout the time of their relationship.’
At one point during proceedings Flynn broke down in tears as the 911 call he made to police was played out to the court.
He could be heard telling a dispatcher: ‘Somebody broke into my home – somebody broke into my home and shot my wife.
‘My wife, she’s got two shots to her head. There’s blood everywhere. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.’
Court documents allege that Caleb used a 9mm handgun to shoot his wife in the head, while their two children were sleeping in rooms nearby.
The trial continues.
