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Caleb Flynn faces 20 years to life after conviction in wife’s killing
A jury found the Tipp City pastor guilty of nine charges, including aggravated murder, in the February killing of Ashley Flynn. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 5, and he will not face the death penalty.
Caleb Flynn could be sentenced to anywhere from 20 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of nine charges in the killing of his wife, Ashley Flynn. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 5.
The 40-year-old former “American Idol” contestant and pastor was convicted of aggravated murder, three counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and three counts of tampering with evidence. Jurors also found firearm specifications on seven counts, which could add prison time.
Prosecutors said Flynn shot Ashley Flynn twice in the back of the head while she was sleeping at their Tipp City home on Feb. 16. They argued he then staged the home to suggest an intruder had killed her before calling 911. Flynn told police he had been asleep in another room and did not see the killing.
Prosecutors also argued that Flynn’s motive was to end his marriage and pursue a relationship with another woman. Those claims were part of the prosecution’s case; Flynn’s attorneys have said they plan to appeal, arguing there was a “lack of evidence on prior calculation and design.”
The potential penalties vary by count. Aggravated murder carries a potential life sentence, while the murder counts carry terms of 15 years to life. The assault counts carry two to eight years each, and the evidence-tampering counts carry sentences of nine to 36 months each. Firearm specifications carry additional terms, depending on the count.
Flynn will not face capital punishment. Although Ohio law permits the death penalty in some aggravated-murder cases, prosecutors did not charge the qualifying specifications required to seek it.
Whether Flynn can seek parole will depend on the sentence. If he is not sentenced to life without parole, he could become eligible for parole after serving the minimum term, though eligibility does not guarantee release. He is being held at the Miami County Jail after a judge revoked his $2 million bond.