Former American Idol contestant faces sentencing in wife's murder

Caleb Flynn, a former “American Idol” contestant, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday after a jury found him guilty in the killing of his wife, Ashley Flynn, at their Tipp City, Ohio, home, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

The case drew attention because Flynn, 40, had appeared on the singing competition in 2013 and was accused by prosecutors of staging the scene to look like a break-in after Ashley Flynn, 37, was killed.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that Flynn was convicted of aggravated murder, multiple murder counts, felonious assault and tampering with evidence. The jury reached its verdict Sept. 29 after deliberating for nearly 2 1/2 hours.

Prosecutors said Flynn shot Ashley Flynn twice in the back of the head while she was in bed, then altered the scene to suggest an intruder entered through the garage. Miami County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Joseph said during closing arguments that the evidence “leads straight to the defendant.”

Joseph said prosecutors believed Flynn had motives tied to his relationship with a former mistress, his job with Ashley Flynn’s family business, life insurance and his role as a worship leader. “The evidence does not tell the story of an intruder,” Joseph said, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Flynn called 911 early on Feb. 16 and reported that an intruder had shot his wife, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. He was arrested three days later.

Flynn did not testify, and the defense did not call witnesses, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Defense attorney Patrick Mulligan told jurors, “Connecting a couple of meaningless dots doesn't solve the case,” and later told reporters he expected an appeal notice to be filed.

Flynn’s sentencing hearing is set to begin at 3 p.m. ET Monday, and he faces up to life in prison without parole, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.