#SHOWBIZ: Former 'American Idol' singer Caleb Flynn gets life sentence for wife's murder

New York - A former American Idol contestant, Caleb Flynn, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his wife, Ashley Flynn. Flynn, 40, was convicted of aggravated murder, tampering with evidence, and eight other charges, as reported by the Associated Press. The jury did not accept Flynn's defense that an intruder had entered their Ohio home and shot Ashley Flynn while she was asleep.

The murder took place in February at their home in Tipp City. Flynn, previously a church music pastor, had staged the scene to resemble a burglary, with his two young daughters, aged nine and 11, sleeping in the house at the time. During the emotional sentencing hearing, letters from his daughters were read aloud, expressing their anguish and disappointment over Flynn's actions.

Flynn apologized for unspecified "decisions" while still denying responsibility for the murder. Judge Jeannine Pratt described Flynn as a significant threat to society and handed down the life sentence. Prosecutors presented digital evidence, including data from Flynn's iPhone and Apple Watch, showing he was awake during the shooting.

Additionally, Flynn's text messages to a former church intern, with whom he was having an affair, were read to the jury, revealing his premeditated intentions. The defense lawyer, Patrick Mulligan, argued that the affair did not constitute proof of murder and plans to appeal the verdict, citing lack of planning evidence. Flynn, who auditioned for American Idol in 2013, had claimed his love for his wife was "more than anything" and did not present any witnesses during his defense.