American Idol contestant's murder trial

Prosecutors opened their case with the disclosure that Flynn, a worship leader, had been having a years-long affair, and read from what Miami County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Watkins said were 100,000 messages exchanged with the woman. In one, sent months before Ashley was fatally shot in the head at their home in February, Flynn wrote: 'I was up until 4 a.m. last night crying, literally trying to think of ways to kill her and not go to jail.' In another: 'If I could literally kill her and not go to hell, I would do it in a heartbeat. That is how dark and how hateful I feel.'

As it ran

19 September 2026

• An affair, a missing gun and 100,000 messages: What we learned on Day 1 of testimony in Caleb Flynn’s trial CNN

18 September 2026

• Prosecutors highlight Caleb Flynn’s affair in bombshell opening statement CNN
• Updates Miami County Sheriff's Office CNN
• Opening statements set to begin in former ‘American Idol’ contestant’s murder trial CNN

17 September 2026

• His wife encouraged his ‘American Idol’ dream. Now he stands trial for her murder CNN