Mistress testifies in Ohio murder trial of former "American Idol" contestant

Alleigha Botner, 24, testified Thursday in the Ohio trial of Caleb Flynn, 40, a former "American Idol" contestant and music pastor accused of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, in February. Botner described a roughly 18-month affair that began while she was an intern at Flynn’s church and highlighted more than 100,000 text messages exchanged before the death.

Prosecutors allege Flynn shot Ashley twice in the back of the head while she slept, staged the home to look like a burglary, and called 911 to claim an intruder was responsible. The firearm has not been recovered. Flynn, who pleaded not guilty, also faces charges of tampering with evidence and witness intimidation. His defense argues that investigators acted prematurely and that media attention has distorted the case.

During her testimony, Botner said she and Flynn hid their messages, initially lied to the FBI, and lost her phone and work laptop weeks before the murder. When asked about her current feelings toward Flynn, she responded, "> I hate him."

Botner recounted a text from August 22, 2025, in which Flynn wrote he stayed up until 4 a.m thinking of ways to kill his wife without going to jail. She replied urging him to pursue a divorce instead. She also testified that Flynn sent a September 30, 2025, message indicating he would sacrifice his career, income, children, and reputation to be with her.

The defense cross-examined Botner about the texts, and she affirmed that she always intended divorce. She said she deleted a morning-of-the-murder message to Flynn asking, "Caleb, what's going on? Were you involved? Is this real?" because she feared police would discover the affair.

A video shown by prosecutors featured Flynn recording his home while stating, "I love Alleigha Botner," with their dog in the frame. The trial is set to continue on Friday.