A jury has found former “American Idol” contestant and church worship leader Caleb Flynn guilty of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, after a trial that revealed disturbing messages about killing her while finding a way to “not go to Hell for it.”

Judge Jeannine Pratt read the verdict in an Ohio courtroom, where jurors found Flynn guilty on all counts connected to Ashley’s February 2026 murder. Flynn broke down in tears as the verdict was announced.

Flynn and his attorneys maintained throughout the trial that an intruder killed Ashley inside the couple’s home. Prosecutors argued that the story was fabricated and that Flynn murdered his wife to pursue another relationship without facing the personal, professional, and financial consequences of a divorce.

The trial drew particular attention because of Flynn’s background as a worship leader and former “American Idol” contestant. Testimony also revealed messages between Flynn and his former mistress, Alleigha Botner, including one in which he discussed wanting to kill Ashley and “not go to Hell for it.”

Prosecutor Matt Joseph told jurors Flynn wanted to portray himself as the victim of a horrific crime rather than as a husband who left his wife for another woman.

“The evidence shows that he wanted to keep his mistress and have his daughters all to himself,” Joseph said.

Prosecutors argued Ashley’s death would also allow Flynn to continue working for her family’s business, benefit from her life insurance, and maintain his reputation and position as a worship leader.

Defense attorney Patrick Mulligan disputed that argument, stressing that infidelity and cruel messages about Ashley did not prove Flynn committed murder.

“His being unfaithful doesn’t equal murder,” Mulligan told jurors.

The defense also attacked Botner’s credibility, suggested she had a stronger motive to want Ashley gone, and criticized law enforcement’s investigation. Mulligan argued that prosecutors had built their case on circumstantial evidence rather than definitive physical proof connecting Flynn to the killing.

Prosecutors rejected those arguments during their rebuttal. They pointed to evidence they said contradicted the idea of a burglary, noting that nothing appeared to have been stolen from the home.

Prosecutor Paul Watkins also highlighted the removal of the couple’s home security cameras roughly 20 days before Ashley was killed. The cameras, he said, had been installed for years and were registered to Flynn’s email address.

“This was not a burglary,” Watkins told jurors. “Nothing was missing.”

Watkins ended the prosecution’s case by bringing the focus back to Ashley.

“The evidence is clear,” he said. “Follow it and give Ashley the one thing she can no longer give herself: her voice.”

The jury ultimately agreed with prosecutors and convicted Flynn on all counts.

Flynn is scheduled to be sentenced October 5.