Caleb Flynn’s former mistress testified in the murder trial of the ex-American Idol contestant, who is accused of killing his wife, Ashley Flynn.
During testimony livestreamed by several outlets from the courtroom on Sept. 24, 24-year-old Alleigha Botner described her relationship with Caleb and the dramatic change in her feelings toward him. “I hate him,” she told the court.
Botner acknowledged that she once loved Caleb. Asked what caused her feelings to change, she replied, “Because I believe he murdered his wife.”
Prosecutors allege that Caleb shot Ashley inside their Tipp City home on Feb. 16 before staging the scene to resemble a home invasion.
Caleb is charged with one count of aggravated murder, three counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and three counts of tampering with evidence. He has pleaded not guilty.
Although he has admitted to having an affair, his defense team argues that he wanted to divorce Ashley—not kill her.
While testifying, Botner said Caleb defended their relationship by claiming that Ashley had cheated on him two years earlier.
Prosecutors contend that Caleb killed Ashley so he could be with Botner. They have presented more than 100,000 alleged text messages exchanged between the pair, including messages in which Caleb allegedly expressed “hatred” toward Ashley and a desire to kill her.
Caleb Flynn and Ashley Flynn’s Daughters Reaction to Affair
Caleb and Ashley had two young daughters. Their aunt, Ashley’s sister Kayla Keyt, testified on Sept. 22 about the girls’ reaction after they learned that their father had been having an affair before their mother’s death.
“They were mostly brokenhearted for Mommy,” Keyt told the court. “When we told them who it was, the oldest said, ‘I’m not surprised.’”
Botner previously served as a worship leader at Ohio’s Christian Life Center, where she and Caleb sang together.
A spokesperson for Christian Life Center Church told Oxygen that the church had “no knowledge of any alleged inappropriate relationship” between Botner and Caleb.
The spokesperson said Botner resigned voluntarily and added that “at the time of her resignation, she did not provide the church with any explanation or comments regarding her decision.”
