Devastating photo shows bunk beds where children slumbered as American Idol star dad allegedly murdered their mother while cheating on her with mistress: Live updates
Devastating photo shows bunk beds where children slumbered as American Idol star dad allegedly murdered their mother while cheating on her with mistress: Live updates
By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and NATASHA ANDERSON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and KATRINA SCHOLLENBERGER, US HEAD OF LIVE NEWS
Updated:
Jurors in Caleb Flynn’s murder trial were shown pictures of the bunk beds where his children slept as he allegedly murdered his wife in a separate bedroom just feet away.
Flynn, a former American Idol contestant and pastor, is accused of killing his wife, Ashley, 37 in their family home.
The 40-year-old has pleaded not guilty to several charges relating to the fatal shooting, which took place inside their Tipp City, Ohio, home on February 16.
The couple’s two daughters, ages 10 and 12, were inside the house when their father allegedly shot their mother in the head with a 9mm handgun.
On Friday, prosecutors kicked off the trial by highlighting more than 100,000 messages that Flynn had sent to a woman he was having a ‘yearslong’ affair with. In those texts, Flynn, who competed on the singing show in 2013, expressed his desire to have Ashley killed.
During day two of his trial on Monday, Flynn broke down in tears as jurors were told horrid details about how his wife was found dead. His claim that his wife was shot by an alleged intruder also came under intense scrutiny.
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Special Agent David Hammond told the court that the scene did not match a break-in and that there was ‘no indication a struggle had taken place.’
Flynn has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
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Jurors shown heartbreaking photos of Flynn children’s bedroom
Images of bunk beds that belonged to the Flynn daughters were shown to the jury.
Their children, aged 10 and 12, were home when their mother Ashley was killed.
The pictures showed a white bunk bed fitted with a bright yellow slide that led to the carpet.
Stuffed animals remained on the mattresses as stickers lined the wood.
A playroom used by the girls was also shown.
Flynn family are excused from courtroom as medical examiner is called to stand
Caleb Flynn’s family left the courtroom as Deputy Coroner & Forensic Pathologist Bryan Casto was called to testify.
Casto performed an autopsy on Ashley Flynn after she was killed.
Caleb Flynn’s daughters will take the stand
The couple’s 10 and 12-year-old daughters will testify in their father’s murder trial.
The girls, who have not been named, were inside the home when their mother, Ashley, was killed in February.
They will not see the public or their father during their testimony, according to court documents seen by the Daily Mail.
Who has custody of the Flynn’s children?
After Ashley Flynn was killed, her parents and sister took custody of the girls, according to People.
When was Flynn on American Idol?
When Flynn was first arrested, it was widely reported that he was a former contestant on the hit show American Idol.
He competed on Season 12 of the singing contest in 2013.
At the time, he referred to himself as a ‘music pastor’ and was eliminated during the early rounds in Hollywood, California.
New witness called to the stand
After being on stand for most of the day on Monday, Agent Hammond wrapped up his testimony on Monday afternoon.
Holly Ryczek, a crime scene technician with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), is now on the stand.
What is Caleb Flynn charged with?
Aggravated murder
Murder (three counts)
Felonious assault (two counts)
Tampering with evidence (three counts)
Intimidation of an attorney, victim, or witness in a criminal case (two counts)
Supporters of the Flynn family seated behind Caleb
Supporters of the Flynn family are seated behind the American Idol alum in the courtroom.
They became visibly emotional during testimony.
A court order has protected the Flynn family themselves from being pictured as the trial is live streamed.
Court back in session
David Hammond is now being cross-examined by the defense.
Harrowing bodycam footage of ex-American Idol contestant after he allegedly murdered wife shows him crying and throwing up
Former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn could be heard crying uncontrollably and throwing up after allegedly murdering his wife in bodycam footage released by police.
The 39-year-old former reality star, who appeared on the program in 2013, could be seen in the immediate aftermath of his wife’s death in footage released on Monday by the Tipp City Police Department in Ohio and obtained by the Daily Mail.
What did Caleb Flynn say in his alleged text messages to his mistress?
Prosecutors have claimed Flynn, who competed on American Idol in 2013, expressed his desire to have his wife Ashley killed via text messages to his mistress.
During opening statements on Friday, Prosecutor Paul M. Watkins said that Flynn, a father of two, had been having a ‘yearslong’ affair with the unknown woman.
Watkins claimed that Flynn had messaged his mistress saying: ‘If I could literally kill her and not go to hell I would do it in a heartbeat. That is how dark and hateful I feel.’
In another, Watkins claimed Flynn had also messaged her saying: ‘I was up until 4AM last night crying. Literally crying to think of ways to kill her and not go to jail.’
Watkins added: ‘Those two messages are Caleb Flynn’s own words, words communicated to his mistress. Those messages were sent months apart.’
