Alleigha Botner reads texts at Caleb Flynn murder trial
Alleigha Botner, a 24-year-old marketing specialist, testified in Miami County, Ohio, during the murder trial of former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn, reading aloud text messages detailing an affair and plots concerning Flynn’s wife, Ashley Flynn, who was found dead on February 16.
Testimony Details the Timeline of an Affair
Taking the stand on Wednesday and Thursday in Miami County, Ohio, Alleigha Botner detailed her romantic involvement with 40-year-old Caleb Flynn. According to her testimony, she met Flynn in 2022 while interning at their church. Although she knew he was married and had been introduced to his wife, she claimed they began a sexual relationship in May 2024, continuing to see each other frequently and traveling to nearby cities to avoid detection, as noted in reports from local NBC affiliate WLWT and the Toronto Sun.
The trial, which began on September 17, centers on the February 16 death of 37-year-old Ashley Flynn. She was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds at the Tipp City, Ohio home she shared with Caleb Flynn. At the time of the shooting, the couple’s daughters, aged 9 and 11, were asleep inside the residence. Authorities responded to the scene after Caleb Flynn called a 911 dispatcher to report that an intruder had broken into the house during the middle of the night.
Text Messages Reveal Destructive Exchanges
During Thursday’s court proceedings, Botner spent hours reading from text message exchanges between herself and the defendant leading up to the homicide. Local NBC affiliate WLWT footage showed Botner reading messages where Caleb Flynn indicated he wanted his wife gone, stating in one text, “You know I hate her,” and adding that he could not “even stand the sight of her or the mention of her.” Another message indicated he wanted his wife out of the picture even if it meant ruining his daughters’ lives.
The testimony included an emotional exchange where Botner read a message she had sent to Caleb Flynn: “I want to kill her, Caleb.” According to Botner, his response was, “That makes two of us.” Botner also testified that communications about their future continued right up until February 15, the day before the fatal shooting, with Flynn texting her, “Alleigha, I love you, and if you give me just one more chance, I’ll love you to the day you die,” followed by, “I choose you, Alleigha. You’re more than enough. Goodnight.”
Defense Position and Legal Proceedings
Three days after the discovery of Ashley Flynn’s body, Caleb Flynn was arrested. He faces charges of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence, and has pleaded not guilty. Ohio prosecutors have pointed to the affair as the primary motive for the killing.
During the trial, Flynn’s defense team acknowledged the extramarital affair to the jury, conceding that his behavior made him easy to dislike. However, defense attorneys argued that the prosecution’s case lacks key physical evidence, including the murder weapon.
Caleb Flynn briefly competed on the 12th season of American Idol in 2013, though he was cut early in the process and did not advance to the televised rounds. Public records indicate he worked as a pastor prior to his arrest and subsequent trial.
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