American Idol Alum Caleb Flynn Tells Police Flag-Carrying Stranger Came to Door Before Wife Was Shot

Former “American Idol” contestant Caleb Flynn returned to court Monday as his Ohio murder trial entered its second week. Jurors continued watching his recorded police interview, while prosecutors moved closer to completing their case.

The jury began viewing the interview Friday. In it, Flynn recounted what he said took place inside his Tipp City home before and after his wife, Ashley Flynn, was fatally shot on Feb. 16.

Prosecutors allege Flynn shot Ashley in the back of the head and then arranged the home to make it appear that an intruder had broken in. Flynn has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other charges.

The prosecution was also considering calling the couple’s 10- and 12-year-old daughters, who were inside the home when their mother was killed. As court resumed Monday, no final decision had been announced.

If they testify, the girls will do so by audio only, under an arrangement approved by the court.

During the portion of the interview played Monday, Flynn pointed investigators toward a stranger he said had appeared outside the family’s home the day before Ashley’s death.

Flynn said Ashley and the girls were in the living room when a vehicle pulled up and remained outside. A man eventually stepped out and approached the front porch.

“My daughter can confirm,” Flynn told investigators.

He described the man as long-haired and awkward, adding that he did not appear to be wearing clothing with a company logo. According to Flynn, the man delivered what Ashley considered a “weird” sales pitch involving an American flag.

Flynn said Ashley eventually shut the door after the man indicated he would come back later.

Flynn also described his actions before the shooting. He said the family dogs were with him as he slept on the couch, until one began shaking and scratching and woke him.

He told investigators that he checked on his daughters, tucked the younger girl back into bed and then chose to lie down beside her.

Flynn said gunfire woke him again.

“The shots woke you up?” an investigator asked.

“Yes, sir,” Flynn replied, describing the gunfire as “back-to-back” and “loud.”

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Detective Sgt. Mike Morgan later testified that Flynn told him he froze for four to six seconds before racing to the master bedroom, where he found Ashley wounded by gunfire.

The recorded interview followed two days of testimony from Flynn’s former mistress, Alleigha Botner. She described their affair and read messages they exchanged during the months leading up to Ashley’s death.

Botner testified that Flynn repeatedly discussed wanting his wife dead. In one message, he allegedly wrote that he had stayed awake until 4 a.m. “literally thinking of ways to kill her and not go to jail.”

But Flynn’s attorneys used their cross-examination to emphasize the broader context of more than 107,000 messages exchanged during the roughly year-and-a-half affair, including emotionally charged language used by Botner herself.

Botner also testified she understood Flynn’s plans for Feb. 16 to mean he intended to finally leave Ashley and seek a divorce – not kill her.

Shortly after midnight that morning, however, Flynn allegedly told Botner, “It’s happening,” followed by, “February 16th – day I’ll never forget.”

“You’re about to be free,” Botner responded.

“I choose you,” Flynn replied.

Investigators have not recovered the gun prosecutors allege was used to kill Ashley despite extensive searches. There was no eyewitness to the shooting, and testimony showed no gunshot residue was found on Flynn.

Prosecutors have several additional witnesses they plan to call as they move closer to resting their case. It remained unclear Monday morning whether Flynn’s daughters would be among them.

News Media has remained in contact with Flynn’s attorney, who declined to comment while the trial is ongoing.