Former American Idol singer jailed for life for murdering wife

His fingerprints and DNA were all over the crime scene

According to prosecutors, Caleb Flynn, 40, shot his wife Ashley who was a teacher and volleyball coach.

After murdering the 37-year-old, the husband staged an invasion and claimed it was a burglar who killed her.

Flynn wept in court as he was found guilty on charges of murder last week, as well as on charges of felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

The former talent show contestant was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

He had made an appearance on American Idol in 2013, and performed in front of Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and Nicki Minaj as judges.

At the time, he told viewers that it was his wife who encouraged him to pursue his dreams and enter the contest.

Credit: Facebook image

In court, Flynn apologised to his family and started with his two daughters.

He said: “I made vows to Ashley on our wedding day. I failed in those vows”.

He did, however, remain adamant that he was innocent, even though he admitted to lying about several other things.

“As I stand here before God, who is my ultimate judge, I am not lying when I say I did not kill my wife,” he said prior to sentencing.

During closing arguments last week, prosecutors told jurors that Flynn wanted out of his marriage when he shot his wife at their home in Tipp City, a suburb of Dayton.

When the police arrived, the couple’s two daughters were at home.

The 'chilling' message Flynn sent to his former mistress

As per assistant Miami County prosecutor, Matthew Joseph, Flynn had sent a text to his former mistress before the shooting.

“I choose you. I'm free. Actions will come tomorrow”, he texted former mistress Alleigha Botner.

The assistant prosecutor said that Flynn “wanted to keep his mistress and have his daughters all to himself”.

While the gun which was used to kill his wife was not found, according to prosecutors, Flynn’s fingerprints and DNA were all over the scene of the crime.

Devices also showed that he was moving about the house even though he told investigators that when his wife was shot he was asleep.