American Idol singer's mistress not charged in wife's murder

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 03:00 · Archive

Caleb Flynn's mistress was not charged in the murder of his wife Ashley despite exchanging thousands of messages about killing her.

Caleb Flynn, 40, was convicted on 29 September of murdering his wife Ashley, who was shot in the head while sleeping in their marital bed at their Ohio home on 16 February. He was sentenced on Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Flynn conducted an affair with Alleigha Botner, who worked with him on the worship team at the church where they both served. Messages between them became a key part of the trial, with jurors hearing from more than 100,000 texts exchanged during their roughly 18-month relationship. These included disturbing exchanges about wanting Ashley dead and even suggestions to hire someone to carry out the killing.

Botner's attorney, Nick Gounaris, told Fox News Digital that his client was not charged because saying something does not prove involvement. He stated that investigators reviewed Botner's messages, cellphone records and surveillance footage, but found nothing to suggest she participated in the murder. Gounaris said Botner 'takes full responsibility' for having an affair and for the 'terrible things' she said about Flynn's wife, but was not involved in planning or executing the killing itself.

How it is being reported

• Mistress of American Idol singer who killed wife disputes accusations she helped plan the murderAn attorney for Alleigha Botner denied allegations that she helped Caleb Flynn murder his wife on the night of February 16 at his home in Ohio.Daily Mail · 9 Oct, 02:38
• Caleb Flynn's mistress avoided charges despite murder texts as her attorney reveals whyAlleigha Botner's attorney tells why she wasn't charged in Ashley Flynn's murder despite 107,000 messages exchanged with Caleb Flynn during their affair.Fox News · 8 Oct, 18:08

In this story: Caleb Flynn · Ashley Flynn · Alleigha Botner · Tipp City · Ohio

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