'I hate him': Former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn's ex-mistress Alleigha Botner testifies in his murder trial; what's the case?

The former mistress of an Ohio man accused of fatally shooting his wife on Wednesday (September 23) took the stand and testified that she believed he had committed the crime. Caleb Flynn, a 40-year-old former pastor who once appeared as a contestant on the fourth season of the singing reality show American Idol, is on trial in Miami County for the murder of his wife, 37-year-old Ashley Flynn. During her testimony, Alleigha Botner, the 24-year-old ex-mistress, said when she learned that Ashley Flynn was dead, her "heart started pounding."

Caleb Flynn was arrested days after calling 911 to report a burglary and shooting at their home in Tipp City, north of Dayton in February this year. Hours before dialing the emergency number, Caleb had texted his former mistress: "I choose you. I'm free. Actions will come tomorrow," prosecutors said.

'I hate him'

Botner said she thought she once loved Caleb, though when asked to describe her feelings for him at the moment, she said: "I hate him." Botner testified that she first met Caleb in 2022 while interning at a church. She stated that they had a sexual relationship for about a year, starting in May 2024, despite knowing that he was married.

Botner to resume testimony

"I found myself in a place I never thought I would be," Botner said. "I never morally justified it. I just did it, even while I knew it was wrong," she added. "He said that he wishes if he could kill her and not go to jail or get arrested -- I forget exactly what he said -- that he would do it," she testified. Botner is set to resume her testimony on Thursday (September 24).

Charges against Caleb Flynn

Prosecutors have alleged that Caleb Flynn shot his wife twice in the back of her head in their bedroom, while their two daughters were asleep in the house. He is also accused of manipulating the crime scene to make it appear as if someone broke into their house. Caleb has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence.