Caleb Flynn will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found the former Ohio music pastor and American Idol contestant guilty of killing his wife while their two young daughters were home.
Flynn, 40, received life without parole on Monday for the aggravated murder of Ashley Flynn, 37, a schoolteacher and volleyball coach who was shot in February.
Judge Jeannine Pratt tore into him during sentencing.
“The layers of deceit, manipulation and cruelty are hard to fathom,” she said. “And you used your faith to manipulate the lives of others.”
The former reality contestant cried.
“I loved her and loved her,” said Flynn. “She was my wife. She was beautiful and amazing in countless ways.” He also told his daughters, “Please know your daddy is so proud of you and loves you beyond what words can describe.”
The girls did not attend the sentencing, but family members read letters they had written to their father.
“My heart aches to see you hurt, but then I think it was your choice,” daughter Ava wrote, also referencing his affair.
Both daughters urged Flynn to admit killing their mother.
Prosecutors said Ashley was defenseless in bed when Flynn shot her and later claimed a stranger had broken into the house. Jurors also heard testimony from Flynn’s lover, Alleigha Botner, who said he had spoken about hating his wife and having thoughts of killing her.
Prosecutor Paul Watkins said the case was about “deliberate choices” and “the permanent devastation left behind.”
