Caleb Flynn’s former mistress testified in the murder trial of the ex-American Idol contestant, who is accused of killing his wife, Ashley Flynn.
Alleigha Botner, 24, described her relationship with Caleb during testimony on Sept. 24, in proceedings livestreamed by several outlets. She also spoke about how sharply her feelings had changed, telling the court, “I hate him.”
Botner said she once loved Caleb. Asked what caused her feelings to change, she answered, “Because I believe he murdered his wife.”
Prosecutors allege that Caleb shot Ashley inside their Tipp City home on Feb. 16 before staging the scene to make it appear that a home invasion had occurred.
Caleb is charged with one count of aggravated murder, three counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and three counts of tampering with evidence. He has pleaded not guilty.
Although he has admitted to having an affair, his defense attorneys argue that he wanted to divorce Ashley rather than kill her.
While testifying, Botner said Caleb defended their relationship by claiming Ashley had cheated on him two years earlier.
The prosecution contends that Caleb killed Ashley so he could begin a life with Botner. Prosecutors have presented more than 100,000 alleged text messages exchanged by the pair, including messages in which Caleb allegedly voiced “hatred” toward Ashley and expressed a desire to kill her.
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Caleb Flynn and Ashley Flynn’s Daughters Reaction to Affair
Caleb and Ashley had two young daughters. Their aunt, Ashley’s sister Kayla Keyt, testified Sept. 22 about the children’s reaction after they learned their father had been having an affair before their mother’s death.
“They were mostly brokenhearted for Mommy,” Keyt told the court. “When we told them who it was, the oldest said, ‘I’m not surprised.’”
Botner previously served as a worship leader at Ohio’s Christian Life Center, where she and Caleb sang together.
A spokesperson for Christian Life Center Church told Oxygen that the church had “no knowledge of any alleged inappropriate relationship” between Botner and Caleb.
The spokesperson said Botner resigned from the church voluntarily and added that “at the time of her resignation, she did not provide the church with any explanation or comments regarding her decision.”