Ex-pastor, ‘American Idol’ contestant Caleb Flynn sentenced to life in prison
By Fletcher Keel, Emily Sanderson, Karin Johnson
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MIAMI COUNTY, Ohio (WLWT) — Caleb Flynn, the former pastor and “American Idol” contestant convicted of murdering his wife, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“You actions were abhorrent,” the judge said while handing down sentencing. “You could’ve walked away, you could’ve separated from her and let her walk on this Earth.”
“You shattered their sense of security, you shattered their innocence. You took something from them they will never get back, their mother,” The judge continued.
Flynn was found guilty last week of shooting and killing his wife, Ashley, in their Tipp City home, then staging the scene to look like a break-in.
Before being sentenced, Flynn provided a statement ahead of sentencing, addressing his daughters, parents and Ashley’s family in emotional statement.
Flynn ended his statement, maintaining his innocence that he did not kill his wife.
Ashley’s family and daughters also provided statements that were read aloud in court.
“We trusted you, we believed in you, we honestly would’ve laid down our lives for you. And because of that, one of my greatest fears, was that people will look at you and what you have done and begin questioning whether any of this, Christianity, faith, Jesus was real,” Ashley’s sister Kayla Keyt, said.
“Caleb’s decision created permanent loss that has created permanent consequences,” Ashley’s brother in law Matt Keyt, said in his statement, asking for the maximum sentence for Caleb.”
Matthew and Ashley’s mother Jill also read statements from his daughters as Caleb could be seen breaking down in tears.
“I don’t even know where to start, how could you do such a thing, I looked up to you, I loved you with all my heart, and then you lied to everyone. Mommy was the person perfect, the absolute perfect person, what did she ever do to make you hate her so much,” Matthew read from one of the daughter’s statements. “You chose to kill the only mother I ever had.”
“You had the best life ever, and you decided to throw it away forever for a girl who was half your age,” Ashley Flynn’s mother Jill shared in a statement from one of his daughters.
Jill ended the daughter’s statement by saying she does not plan to come visit Flynn in prison.
In the defense memorandum, Attorney Patrick Mulligan stated Flynn continues to maintain his innocence and submits his history demonstrates he is “not beyond rehabilitation” citing nor prior criminal record. The defense also submitted letters from Flynn’s parents.
Flynn’s defense continues to maintain his innocence, saying they plan to file an appeal.
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