Mistress Testifies Ex-American Idol Contestant Planned Divorce, Not Murder, Amid Heated Affair

During the sixth day of testimony in the murder trial of former "American Idol" contestant Caleb Flynn, jurors heard exchanges between Flynn and his mistress, Alleigha Botner. Defense attorneys worked to recast the relationship as an emotionally volatile affair focused on divorce, not murder.

Botner testified that she and Flynn exchanged messages discussing wanting his wife, Ashley Flynn, dead months before her death. Reading from her messages, Botner stated, "I want to kill her, Caleb." Flynn allegedly responded, "That makes two of us."

Prosecutors presented final messages exchanged the night before Ashley Flynn was shot. Botner testified about her uncertainty regarding Flynn's readiness to leave his wife. In their exchange, Botner wrote, "Caleb, I've never felt anything as deep as I felt with you. I trusted you with my heart. I'm terrified. But thank you for saying all that. We will see if your actions finally match your words." Flynn reportedly replied, "I've never felt anything like it either. It's why I know it's actually real ... I'm terrified as well, but tomorrow it all starts." When Botner asked if he was more excited or scared, Flynn allegedly responded, "Well, I got a pretty massive day tomorrow so I'm gonna head to sleep. Please be praying for me and I'll update you the whole time." Botner later texted, "You're about to be free," to which Flynn replied, "I choose you ... You're more than enough. Good night."

Botner also testified that after Ashley's death, Flynn met her at Ashley's parents' home and said, "It didn't happen the way we thought it would, did it?" She expressed suspicion as he recounted hearing a gunshot and finding his wife.

Defense attorney Emily Smith attempted to reframe the prosecution's evidence, suggesting Flynn's messages about becoming "free," taking action, and leaving Ashley were about divorce. Botner agreed when asked if she understood these messages to mean Flynn intended to divorce his wife, and stated she did not believe they indicated a plan for murder.

Smith questioned Botner about her own internet searches prior to Ashley's death, including research into divorce proceedings and deleting digital evidence. Botner maintained this was to prevent Ashley from discovering the affair if Flynn proceeded with a divorce and to keep the affair private, not to cover up a homicide.

Botner acknowledged she did not believe Flynn was literally capable of carrying out violent threats against his wife, stating, "I don't think he could ever be capable of doing something like that."

The defense also highlighted Botner's messages, where she expressed frustration and delivered ultimatums. "I'm so done with you," Botner wrote in one text. "You have murdered my heart." She also wrote, "I hope you're glad you took my virginity and also my heart and stomped all over it. Enjoy your marriage. I'm done."

After Botner's testimony, an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation digital forensics expert began presenting evidence recovered from Flynn's cellphone. The expert testified that ChatGPT was uninstalled from the phone on Feb. 15, and GroupMe and Instagram were removed shortly after 1 a.m. on Feb. 16. Investigators reportedly found no text messages between Flynn and his wife on the device.

Prosecutors played two AI-generated songs recovered from Flynn's phone, which the expert testified were related to Flynn's relationship with Botner and matched lyrics found in the phone's notes app. The trial is ongoing.