American Idol Alum Caleb Flynn’s Interview Played for Murder Jury

Former “American Idol” contestant and church pastor Caleb Flynn told police he “didn’t touch” his wife, whom prosecutors accuse him of fatally shooting, according to a recording of his interview played for jurors Monday as testimony ended.

“I’m telling you, I didn’t touch my wife,” Flynn, 40, said as detectives questioned him about whether he killed 37-year-old Ashley Flynn inside their Ohio home in February.

“The evidence is a little contrary to that,” one investigator replied, according to the Dayton Daily News.

The recording was presented before the defense rested without calling any witnesses. Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday.

Flynn, a father of two who appeared on the singing competition show in 2013, is accused of shooting Ashley in the head as she lay in bed. Their two daughters, now 10 and 12, were sleeping nearby in their rooms, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also allege that Flynn staged the scene at the family’s Tipp City, Ohio, home to make the killing look like a home invasion.

They said the motive was Flynn’s nearly two-year affair with 24-year-old Alleigha Botner.

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Botner, who served as a worship leader at Flynn’s church, was among the 40 witnesses called by prosecutors. During her testimony, she read text messages exchanged with Flynn in which she said she wanted to kill his wife.

“It says, ‘I want to kill her, Caleb,’” Botner told the jury through tears as she read the messages.

“He said, ‘That makes two of us,’” Botner testified.

“I just wish I didn’t say this,” she added, crying.

Flynn told investigators that an intruder killed his wife while he slept in one of their daughters’ bedrooms. But police testified they found no evidence supporting that account. A police dog detected no scent indicating an intruder, and officers canvassing the neighborhood found no information corroborating a home invasion.

Flynn’s attorneys argued that prosecutors’ case was weak, pointing in part to the fact that the alleged murder weapon was never found. They maintained that the case relied primarily on his affair, which they said was not enough to prove he killed his wife.

Flynn has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, tampering with evidence and other related charges. A conviction on the top charge could result in life in prison without the possibility of parole.