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A former contestant from American Idol has asserted his innocence in the case of his wife’s death.
Caleb Flynn, known for his appearance on the 12th season of the ABC talent show, submitted a not guilty plea at the Miami County Municipal Court on February 20, as detailed in documents reviewed by Oxygen.
During a virtual hearing, Flynn expressed to Judge Samuel Huffman, “I just want to take care of my daughters,” emphasizing that he poses no threat, according to a report by The Associated Press.
New Details Emerge in Death of Caleb Flynn’s Wife
Flynn faces allegations of fatally shooting his wife, Ashley Flynn, on the morning of February 16 with a 9mm handgun at their residence in Tipp City, Ohio, as outlined in a criminal complaint accessed by Oxygen.
He is confronted with charges including one count of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and two counts of evidence tampering.
After the shooting, Flynn called 911, reporting that his wife had been shot in the head multiple times by an intruder and was found lying in her bed.
“Somebody, somebody broke into my home,” he said in the call, obtained by Oxygen. “Somebody broke into my home and shot my wife.”
Flynn told the dispatcher that he wasn’t sure whether the intruder was still inside the residence, adding that the door to the garage was “wide open” as he pleaded with authorities to “please hurry” because his two daughters were also still in the house.
“My wife, she’s got two shots to her head. There’s blood everywhere,” he said. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.”
He told the dispatcher he had been with his children when the shooting happened, but said they were “in their room” and “not even awake” at the time he placed the 911 call.
“Her face is as white as a ghost,” he continued of his wife, as he sobbed. “Please.”
The dispatcher instructed him to take a cloth and put it on his wife’s head as he waited for police to arrive.
Flynn was arrested and charged with the murder days later.
Sheriff Defends Pace of Caleb Flynn Investigation
In a statement to Oxygen after the arrest, Flynn’s attorney L. Patrick Mulligan criticized the speed of the investigation.
“We are both disappointed and concerned about the short timeline and seeming rush to judgment in this case,” Mulligan said. “When the government runs out of leads or can’t develop leads and looks at a surviving spouse in cases such as these, the chance of a wrongful conviction increases.”
In response, Tipp City Chief of Police Greg Adkins told Oxygen that although he does not “intend to debate Mr. Mulligan in the media,” he denied that the investigation had been rushed.
“I will comment that this investigation has not moved fast; rather, it has progressed at a pace dictated by a thorough and deliberate investigative process,” he said. “Since the beginning, numerous investigators from multiple agencies have been involved, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Miami County Prosecutor’s Office, Tipp City Police Department, as well as several additional agencies and specialized resources.”
“The pace of this investigation has been driven by the evidence recovered and discovered, and that evidence will continue to guide the investigation as additional information is collected and analyzed,” he continued. “Numerous hours have been dedicated to this case by the men and women involved at every level. The collaborative group represents some of the most capable investigators, all working diligently to follow up on every lead and ensure the facts are thoroughly examined.”
He added that the investigation was still “not complete” and would continue to move forward “at a pace that allows for proper analysis of the evidence and the facts of the case.”
“I am confident that the case ultimately presented in a court of law will reflect diligence, thoroughness, accuracy, and integrity,” he concluded. “The family and the community deserve nothing less from our department and the assisting agencies.”
School District Remembers Ashley Flynn’s “Beautiful Smile”
At the time of her death, Ashley was a volleyball coach and substitute teacher at the Tippecanoe Middle School.
“She was known for her beautiful smile, warmth, kindness, and the positive impact she had on so many—both in and out of the classroom and on the court,” the Tripp City Schools wrote in a Feb. 16 post on social media. “Our thoughts are with all who are grieving during this difficult time.”
Flynn is being held at the Miami County Jail on a $2 million bond.