Former 'America Idol' contestant Caleb Flynn to be sentenced for the murder of his wife

She thought she thought a big star. and my little.

Well, the one. >> I'm well. How are you? >> She usually comes down. She was dead.

She's she's in. >> Okay.

Rosewood. >> Well, we've been there longer than. >> she's not very many. Well, Nice to I'm large. I don't know what. you're doing. >> I'm Stacy. >> Okay. Yeah. So, you're on our street.

>> Nice to meet you. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I've got a hold of [laughter].

Therefore, supposed to sit.

in the far seats and first two rows over. there like all over. that kind of. >> Yeah, absolutely. That's all right.

>> Oh, numbers. >> No, actually you guys. just I'm not sure. So, let me let me. make sure he's wherever you want. Which. >> Tim? >> Which ones? >> I know you said the end chairs, but what. which rows? >> Just the last couple chairs in those. first two rows right there. >> Right here. >> Y. >> they're trying to keep all you guys. together in one spot. So.

they told me. >> I think. I heard seven. cell phone once we get closer to time. I'm just going to shut it off now. >> You don't have to yet. Just when we get. to that, >> I'll remind every. >> Yeah, it's going to be a little bit. still. So, >> okay.

>> Count it for you. music.

>> Yes. I'm just going to sit next to you. >> No. We're.

serious.

Thank you. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure. Hallelujah.

systematic,

>> did they? >> They did not. >> No, >> I had never sat. This whole time my seat was over. >> That is true. >> This is not. I don't know.

1990s. 1970s. >> 197. >> the judge's area is attached to.

I'm trying to figure out the. >> Thank you for. >> I always get turned down. like four times.

All right. >> Yeah.

It's about.

>> That's not what I was told. What? >> Yeah.

I did this.

Can you. You go in. >> No. Okay.

All right. Please have a seat. >> Good afternoon. It is Monday, October. 5th, 20126. We are here on case number 26 CR 88, state of Ohio versus Caleb C. Flynn. Sir, are you Caleb Flynn? >> Yes, your honor. >> This matter comes on for sentencing. hearing today. Uh present in the.

courtroom on behalf of Mr. Flynn is his. attorney, Patrick Mulligan. as well as. his attorney Emily Smith on behalf of. the state is prosecuting attorney Paul. Watkins and his two assistant. prosecutors matches of him bailing our. um is there any legal reason Mr. Mulligan, the court should not proceed. with the sentencing. >> How did that go, your honor? >> Um, just as a few preliminary matters. Um, on October 1st, the court. advised the defendant at a hearing of. his presumption to uh enroll in the.

violent offender database as a result of. his conviction on counts through four. A. defendant was given an opportunity to. file a motion uh to rebut that. presumption stating that he was not the. principal offender. um he didn't uh. therefore the court uh will the. defendant will be required to register. in the Ohio violent offender database. for a period of 10 years. Uh the court. has presented to the defendant a notice. of duties to enroll as a violent.

offender. Mr. Mulligan, did you go over. that form with your client? >> Yes, your honor. >> Mr. Flynn, I'm showing you a one-page. form. Um do you recognize this as the. notice to enroll um in the violent. offender database? >> Yes, your honor. >> Okay. You read this over? >> Yes, your honor. Did you understand it? >> Yes, sir. >> Did um Mr. Mulligan or Miss Smith answer. any questions you might have with regard. to what is stated in it? >> They did, your honor. >> Do you have any questions of the court? >> No, ma'am. >> Is that your signature there on the. bottom left? >> Yes, >> I'm going to go over a little bit with. you as well. Mr. PL, you've been.

convicted of a qualifying violent. offender offense as defined in 2903.41. of the Ohio Revised Code. If you are are. not sentenced to a prison term, you are. required to enroll in the violent. offender database personally with the. sheriff of the county in which you. reside 10 days after being sentenced. If. you were sentenced to a prison term, you. must enroll in the database personally. with the sheriff of the county in which. you reside 10 days after release from. from jail. If you are outofstate.

offender, you must enroll in the. database personally with the sheriff of. the county in which you reside or occupy. a dwelling within 10 days of either one. residing in or occupying a dwelling in. Ohio for more than three consecutive. days or two residing in or occupying a. dwelling in Ohio for an aggregate period. in a calendar year of 14 days or more. Do you understand, Mr. Flynn? >> Yes, your honor. You're also required to. provide the share of certain information. including your full name and any aliases.

used by you. Your resident's address, your social security number, any. driver's license number or commercial. driver's license number or state. identification card number issued to. you. Information regarding the offense. of which you've been convicted or pled. guilty. The name and address of any. place where you are employed. The name. and address of any school or institution. of higher education you attend. the. license plate number of each vehicle. owned or operated by you or registered. in your name. The vehicle identifi.

identification number of each vehicle. and a description of each vehicle. A and. as well a description of any scars, tattoos or other distinguishing marks on. your person. Do you understand? >> Yes, sir. >> You're required to provide the sheriff. fingerprints and palm prints. This the. sheriff will also obtain a photograph of. you at the time of enrollment. Now, after the date of your initial. enrollment, you are required to reenroll. annually. You must update and or amend. any information described above that has.

changed and provide any additional. information requested at the county. sheriff's office within 10 days of the. anniversary of the calendar date on. which you initially enrolled. Do you. understand? >> Yes, sir. Now, if you change your. residence address during the 10-year. enrollment period, you shall provide. written notice of that change to the. sheriff with whom you most recently. enrolled and to the sheriff in the. county in which you intend to reside. within three business days of the change. of address. Do you understand? >> Yes, sir.

>> Now, you are required to comply with all. the uh described requirements for a. period of 10 years unless your. sentencing court determines otherwise. Do you understand? >> Yes, sir. Do you understand that failure. to enroll or failure to verify your. residence address or um at the specified. times will result in criminal. prosecution? Yes, sir. For execute your. acknowledgement of that. state.

All right. Another preliminary matter is. the issue of merger. Are there any. stipulations by council as to that. issue, >> Mr. Watkins? >> Your honor, we've met in chambers when. we agree that counts one through six. merge, not the specifications, but the. councils themselves and the state would. like to proceed to sentencing on count. one, aggravated murder. >> Is that your understanding, Mr. Republican. >> Yes, sir. >> Based upon um the court's review of the.

indictment as well as the counts that. are associated in the indictment, the. court finds that counts one through six. are allied offenses of similar import. based upon the facts that listed at. trial. The court finds that those counts. arose from the same course of action um. against one victim and were committed. with the same animous and resulted in. the same harm. Therefore, counts one. through six are deemed merged.

and as the state has indicated, they. have elected to proceed to sentencing on. count one, the aggravated murder charge. At this time, Mr. Mulligan, uh would you. like to make any statement on behalf of. your client? >> Um yes, John. Uh briefly, uh we filed. the um memorandum earlier this morning. We of course would reiterate that and. stand on that. Um as far as the um uh. discretion that the court has on count. number one. It's somewhat limited. Um I.

would um uh urge the court to um. exercise discretion so as to allow. parole review. Obviously, Mr. Flynn has. no prior record. Um I don't believe. based on the facts of the um case that. um a finding and we would object to any. finding that this was the worst form of. the offense. I would suggest. respectfully that um great media. attention uh social media attention is. not the basis upon which to find that.

Um and uh we would ask that the um uh. counts that can be run uh uh. concurrently be run concurrently. We. understand the [clears throat] issue. with um the um gun specifications that. the um uh court was kind enough to. provide us with. Um we understand the. current state of the law in order to um. help uh perhaps with the um uh stance of. the um uh appellet lawyers that would. ultimately review this. We would.

respectfully uh object to the finding. that two of the gun specs have to be. consecutive. Um I think it defies logic. uh but we understand what the correct. law is. >> Okay. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Watkins. Would the state like to. court for the record that is in receipt. of the sentencing memorandum filed by. the defense as of today? Mr. Rockkins, does the state have anything that they. >> Thank you. [clears throat].

Your honor, there are moments in a. courtroom when the law requires us to. speak about numbers, years, counts, and. sentences. Today should not begin with a. number. It should begin with a name. Ashley. This case is about deliberate choices, the destruction of an irreplaceable. life, and the permanent devastation left. behind. The defendant, Caleb Flynn, did not kill. a stranger in a sudden confrontation. He. murdered his wife, Ashley, the mother of.

his two young daughters, while she lay. asleep and defenseless in bed. Ashley was 37 years old. Before she. became the victim in this case, Ashley. was a daughter, a sister, a friend, yes, a wife, and a devoted mother whose. children were the center of her life. She had a tomorrow. The defendant took her tomorrow in the. one place where she should have been. safest and at the hands of the one. person she should have been able to. trust most.

The murder was not the product of. provocation, fear, or an impulsive loss. of control. For months, the defendant. directly sustained hostility towards. Ashley while carrying on a secret. relationship with his mistress. He. repeatedly described Ashley as the. obstacle standing between him and the. future he wanted. His own words revealed not merely. marital unhappiness, but a progression. from resentment to hatred to a desire. that Ashley disappear and finally to.

thoughts about how to kill her while. avoiding prison. In the period. immediately preceding the murder, his. communications became increasingly. focused on secrecy, deleting. information, avoiding digital trails, wiping devices, and using alternate. means of communication. On February 16th, 2026, the defendant. converted those words and preparations. into action. Ashley was shot twice in. the head while laying in bed asleep. The.

defendant's electronic devices. documented movement and activity during. the time he claimed to have been asleep. The defendant attempted to stage the. scene as a burglary. Instead of accepting responsibility, the. defendant immediately introduced an. unknown intruder into the story and. attempted to transform himself from. Ashley's killer into another supposed. victim. The intruder existed only in the. defendant's account. Investigators found. no foreign DNA, unidentified. fingerprints, footprints, surveillance.

evidence, witness evidence, or other. forensic pathway showing that an unknown. person entered the home, obtained the. firearm, murdered Ashley, and escaped. undetected. The independent evidence instead. established the defendant's presence, his activity during the critical period, and the absence of evidence that his. intruder story required. The defendant's effort to escape. responsibility did not end with the. stage scene or the false intruder.

narrative. Before his daughter's. forensic interviews, he spoke to each. child privately. Both children later. described instructions from the. defendant concerning what they should. say, telling them their statements could. be the difference between life and death. for him. He told them to deny that he. had coached them and concealed the. conversations from others. Thus, after. taking their mother from them, the. defendant attempted to use his grieving. daughters to reinforce the story he had. created to protect himself.

The jury rejected the defendant's story. and found him guilty of aggravated. murder, murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and numerous. firearm specifications. The evidence exposed his planning, his. deception, and his efforts to manipulate. the investigation, and the defendant has. never accepted responsibility or. expressed genuine remorse for the life. he ended. No sentence can restore Ashley to her. daughters or return her to her to her. parents, sister, relatives, friends, and.

the community who loved her. No sentence can restore the ordinary. things that people never realize are. precious until they are gone. the sound. of her voice, her presence in a room, a. birthday or a holiday with her. These. are the permanent consequences of the. defendant's actions. The court can, however, impose. [clears throat] a sentence that fully. recognizes the value of the life that. the defendant chose to take, the. calculated manner in which he took it, the extraordinary harm he caused, and.

the danger demonstrated by his conduct. Life imprisonment without the. possibility of parole is not excessive. under these circumstances. It is the. only sentence that adequately reflects. the gravity of this planned and. calculated execution. Your honor, I show $229 days of jail. time credit. There's a stipulation for. $20,000 in restitution to the victim's. parents, Todd and Jill Smith. I'm aware.

of 13 victim impact statements that have. been submitted to the court and the. victims have asked that five of those be. read to the court here today. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you. >> U Mr. Mulligan, is your uh client. acknowledge and situate to the 229 days. of jail time credit? >> Uh yes, your um before I get to that. answer, um we respectfully um object to. statements that were never presented at. trial. We believe that there's.

significant evidence on forensic. interviews that counterveails the um. statements that the um donors uh made um. and those were recorded in preparation. for trial and we those um but no we um. we absolutely stipulate to the 229 and. we um stipulate to the um restitution. uh for purposes of objection um brought. to the court's attention by Mr. Mulligan. Uh the court's going to uh.

overrule the objection from Mr. Mulligan. Uh we'll consider those. statements made um. via the state on uh the children's um. conversations with their father after um. the murder um for whatever weight they. may have. At this time, Mr. Cle, would. you like to make a statement? >> Yes, sir. >> Go ahead. Please stand.

I'm going to do my best to get through. this. So, at least I've asked for. forgiveness. It t it takes a while. >> That's all. [snorts]. >> In my almost 8 months of being here, [snorts]. this is the first opportunity I've had. to speak. >> [snorts]. >> There are so many things I would want to. say.

I would want to explain. But [snorts] I understand there's not. enough time today, this week, or the. months to fall to say it all. But there are people I would like to. speak to. [snorts] first and foremost. to my daughters. [snorts]. I don't know if they'll ever be able to. hear this,

but I want to say it regardless. [snorts]. I love you, too. Melissa gave up. with absolutely everything inside me. The day you both were born. were days that forever changed my life. for the better. I never knew that love this fierce was. possible until a moment that I held you. for the [clears throat] first time.

[snorts]. You both are my greatest joy in this. life. >> [snorts]. >> Please know your daddy. is so proud of you and loves you beyond. what words can describe. I have so many thoughts and dreams of. raising you and seeing you grow up to be. mighty women of God, but unfortunately I can't. And so I'm sorry.

I want to be there for your most. important moments. And for that, I'm sorry. There's so much I wish I could be there. for. And so my heart breaks knowing I. can't. But please know again, I dearly love you. both. Miss you more than you'll ever. know. Alyssa and Ava, you're amazing and.

perfect in every way. >> [snorts]. >> Seek the Lord every day. Continue being the most amazing, kind, beautiful, [snorts]. and sweet girls you are. And of Jesus. will continue giving you exactly what. you need. It will give you [snorts] beautiful. lives you deserve. I could speak for hours and hours, but. never forget.

I love you. to my parents. Where do I even start? Some people are given a good mom and a. rough dad or a a great dad and a mom. who's not there. But rarely are people blessed with both. The best mom and dad like I am.

Your support, encouragement, [snorts]. and prayers throughout this entire. nightmare is not normal, but. supernatural. Your constant and unwavering love for me. is what every son or daughter desires. from their parents. And you gave it with. no strings attached. And [snorts] you gave it with your whole. heart. I am beyond proud of to be your son. I'm. beyond blessed to call you mom and dad.

[snorts]. I love you guys with all my heart and. hope you know I value and treasure you. as much as I know how. I know the Lord's not done yet. But thank you for walking with me on. this journey. I'm sorry I won't be able to have our. morning coffee and devotions. Not yet. I'm sorry I can't gather eggs with the.

girls. Not yet. I'm sorry I can't take care of you both. yet. I'm sorry I will miss so much, but know. I love you with all my heart and think. you are the greatest parents in this. world. [snorts]. to my brother. Adam, you are a good man.

You are an honorable man. You are someone I look up to more than. you probably ever even knew. [snorts]. You really are the greatest big brother. in this world. I can't thank you enough. for the way you have loved, protected, and supported me, not just these past eight months, but my. entire life. We didn't need to talk every day or say. a lot of words [clears throat]. to remain close. We just were.

I am beyond proud to call you my. brother, to call you my best friend. Early on, you told me that no matter. what, you were my brother's keeper, and. you are. Thank you for your unfailing love for. me. You're who I want to be when I grow up. I love you, Adam. And know the Lord has. a plan for you. The Lord loves you. The. Lord sees you.

to Todd and Jill, Matt and Caleb, and the ex our extended family. I made vows to Ashley on our wedding. day. I failed those vows. [snorts]. And through my decisions, I have caused.

you guys. >> [snorts]. >> an incredible amount of pain. Through those decisions, I'm sure you. have felt betrayal, confusion, anger, and so much more. And all the words don't come close. I cannot apologize enough.

You heard awful and hurtful things that. I said. I am so incredibly sorry. [snorts] As horrible as those things. were, I want you to know whether you. believe it or not. I did not [snorts]. or do not mean them. I do not hate you. I love you all.

I take complete accountability. [clears throat]. and responsibility for my words and my. decisions. And again, I'm so sorry. I am so sorry. And pray you can one day forgive me. To my church family. and friends, I'm sorry that these decisions I spoke. of have hurt you.

[snorts]. I'm sorry. Todd and Jill Matt and Kale, I want to. thank you for your years of love, support, and encouragement. Thank you for the opportunity of. employment. and all that you gave me. to Matt and Kayla specifically. Thank you for willingly stepping in to. do Ashley and I's greatest desire, which is taking care of the girls if. something were to happen.

Matt, Matt, I [snorts] know you will, but please love my girls as hard as you. know how. Protect them at all cost. Care for their beautiful hearts. Give me. everything they need you to be them.

What I am most ashamed of and I regret. most of all. is the awful things I said about Ashley. I loved her and loved her. She is was my wife. She was beautiful and amazing in. countless ways.

[snorts]. Lastly, I have unfortunately lied about a lot of. things over the last couple of years. But as I stand here before God who is my. ultimate judge, I am not blind. When I say I did not kill my wife.

I will continue to fight for my. innocence as long as the Lord allows me. to. says, "I did not kill my wife.". Proverbs 3:5 and 6 says, "Trust the Lord. with all your heart and lean not on your. own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him and. he will make your path straight.". Jesus, I love you. I acknowledge you as.

Lord and Savior of my life. I trust in you. Thank you. >> Thank you, judge. >> At this time, um would the victims like. to offer a statement? The court will uh. state for the record. The court has. received numerous victim impact states.

13 of total. Um they will be marked as. course exhibit row number one and. admitted into evidence. But I believe. there's a few victim uh members of. family that would like to make their own. statement here in court. Please feel to. do so. Whoever laid it first, >> to the man [clears throat] I used to. call my brother. When Ashley died and we. learned that you were responsible, we. were as shocked as anyone. We trusted.

you. We believed in you. We honestly. would have laid down our lives for you. And because of that, one of my greatest. fears was that people would look at you. and what you had done and begin. questioning whether any of this, Christianity, faith, Jesus was real. How. could someone profess to love Jesus. while living an entirely different life. behind closed doors? It would absolutely break Ashley's heart. to know that an entire group of children.

in Tip City, the Lifewise program, Christian Life Center, and beyond, have. now experienced such fear that some of. them still run to their parents' bedroom. in the morning, making sure that no one. broke in and shot their mother. You. shattered the innocence of so many. children, many of them having to learn. the words murder, affair, burglary, betrayal for the first time. There is also another consequence of. your choices that I don't think you will. ever fully comprehend. For months, our. family prayed that you would confess and.

own up to all of your actions. But you. didn't. Instead, you chose to drag us. through a nationally televised trial. And now the grotesque details of what. happened to Ashley and the evil and vile. things that you said about her and our. family are permanently public. We can. shield Alyssa and Ava today, but we. cannot erase the internet. Someday your. daughters may search their mother's name. or yours and discover details about the. worst night of their lives that we have.

have desperately tried to protect them. from. They lost their mother, their. father, and pretty much everything they. ever owned except the clothes on their. backs all in one night. And they did. absolutely nothing to deserve any of it. Before I say anything else, there's. something I know Ashley would want me to. say to everyone listening and watching. today. As we all know, Ashley loved her best. friend, Jesus, with everything in her. More than anything, she wanted people to.

know him and know the hope of heaven. She used to talk about wanting to make. heaven crowded. So, one of the my. greatest fears after learning what had. been done by Caleb was that people would. look at you, someone who publicly. professed Christianity and begin. questioning whether any of it was real. And that is what would break Ashley's. heart most of all. And I also know that. if Ash could speak today, I believe she. would say, "Please, please do not let. what happened to me make any of you turn.

away from the faith. Don't judge Jesus. by the actions of people who claim to. follow him. Look at Jesus himself. And today, we as a family know without a. doubt Ashley is experiencing the very. heaven she spent her life telling. everyone else about. Just a few nights. ago, however, one of Ashley's daughters. was laying beside me, sobbing into my. shoulder, as they both often do, because. she missed her mommy and could not. understand how her own father could have. done this to all of us. Then she looked. at me and asked, "Why should I even.

believe in Jesus if he allowed this to. happen to us?" And there it was, my. greatest fear. Ashley's own daughter was. questioning the Jesus her mommy had. spent her entire life teaching her to. love. I let those words sit for a moment. and then I told her, "Sweet girl, I'm. going to teach you something that I know. your own mother would want to teach you. Christianity isn't about following Jesus. because he promises to fix everything, heal everything, or prevent terrible. things from happening. We live in such a.

broken world that it is the exact reason. why Jesus came down on this earth to. sacrifice himself on our behalf, so that. he can live amongst us to comfort us. when we are hurting. We follow Jesus. because of who he is. For he is faithful. and trustworthy. And he does not promise. a problem free life, but he does promise. that he will never forsake us and he. will walk alongside of us and comfort us. every step of our journey through the. valley of the shadow of death. And so.

even if Jesus does nothing else beyond. else for us beyond what he's already. done, dying on the cross so our sins. forgive could be forgiven and rising. again so we could have the hope of. heaven. That would be enough. And sweet. girl, that's why your mommy is where she. is right now. She's in paradise because. Jesus died for her. And because of his. sacrifice and resurrection, when her. life on this earth ended, she ran. straight into the arms of her best. friend, Jesus.

But I also told her that even in. unimaginable suffering, God still leaves. reminders of his goodness everywhere. the sun warming our skin, beautiful. flowers and colorful trees, food on our. table that we don't have to beg for, a. warm hug from someone who loves us. I. told her to imagine every one of those. little blessings as a tiny daisy. [clears throat] It's very easy to miss. them if you don't watch out for them. But if we gather them one by one, eventually we look down and realize. we're holding an entire bouquet of.

blessings. A reminder that even in the. darkest season of our lives, God is. still good. And beyond all of those. little daisies, we still have the. greatest gift of all, the cross, the. resurrection, and the hope of heaven. That is what Matthew and I will spend. the rest of our lives teaching our four. daughters. True Christianity is seeking. the face of Jesus for who he is, not. simply his hand for what he can give or. do for us. And Caleb, [snorts]. you took Ashley from this earth. You.

took a mother from her daughters. You. shattered a family that trusted you. and. you created pain that Alyssa and Ava. will carry in some form for the rest of. their lives. But you did not take Jesus. from them. You did not take heaven from. Ashley and you did not destroy our. faith. And despite everything I've just. said, I want you to know something else. I do forgive you. I forgiven both you. and Aaliyah. Not because what happened. should be ever excused or forgotten. And. certainly not because there shouldn't be.

severe consequences. I forgive you. because I refuse to allow what you did. to destroy another part of my life by. filling my heart with hatred and. bitterness. I serve a God who's both. merciful and just. He tells us that. vengeance belongs to him and I trust him. with that. Justice is not mine to carry, but forgiveness is. And God promises. that he can work even the most horrific. circumstances for good and for his. glory. And we are already watching him. do that through an entire community.

rallying around us to support us, which. has been nothing but a gift straight. from heaven itself. And through the. opportunity for Matthew and I to raise. four beautiful girls and love them. unconditionally. And I I'm going to spend the rest of my. life carrying forward what mattered most. to my sister. Ashley wanted people to. know her best friend, Jesus. And that. this broken world is not the end of the. story. Ashley spent her life wanting to make. heaven crowded. So we will teach these.

girls to love deeply, to forgive, to. tell the truth even when it hurts, to. choose what is right even when nobody is. watching. And when life feels unbearably. dark, we will teach them to look down. and start gathering the daisies. Because. somehow, even after everything that has. happened, God is still leaving blessings. everywhere. So, I can think of no. greater way to honor my sister than to. continue what she started to raise her.

girls to know Jesus, her best friend, and to remind anyone that will listen. that even in the darkest story of our. lives, there's still the cross, there's. still the resurrection, and there's. still the hope of heaven. And until we. see Ashley again, we will keep gathering. the daisies. Thank you. Mr. Would you like to offer. [clears throat]. I heard a statement this past week that.

stayed with me. They said, "You're not betrayed by your. enemies. You're betrayed by the people. that you trust the most." And so here we. are betrayed by one of the people that I. trusted the most. Caleb's lies and deceit ended in the. most self-centered act I could ever. imagine. Someone who trusted, someone we trusted. deeply, took the life of Ashley, one of.

the most impactful people I've ever had. the privilege of knowing. My wife and I are now raising four. beautiful girls who are learning how to. live together in a life that none of us. expected. Alyssa and Ava do not know. what the road ahead holds. And honestly, neither do we. There's no road map for helping children. understand that their father murdered. their mother while they were sleeping. just 50 ft away. They repeatedly ask why he would do such.

a thing. How could he take their mother. away and rob them of a lifetime of. memories with her? We obviously don't have an answer that. can make that understandable or ease. their pain. Nearly every day we watch as Ashley's. daughters visit their mother's. graveside, watching them. I watch them. cry and talk to her. They often lie on. the grass in front of her tombstone, imagining in their innocence that it. will bring them just a bit closer to.

their mom. Ashley should be here for their proms, birthdays, holiday traditions, wedding dress. shopping, and for the everyday memories. in between. Despite her very best efforts, Kayla. cannot take Ashley's place in those. moments. She will do everything she can. to love and comfort them with the same. selfless care that Ashley gave them, but. Ashley's absence will always be felt.

Individually, of course, I'm learning. along the way. While running a business. now on my own, I've also been learning. how to bring two grieving girls into our. home, supporting a larger family, and. reassuring my own daughters as their. lives have changed, too. My wife and I. are trying to meet the needs of each. girl individually while also carrying. our own grief. It's impossible to quantify what Caleb's.

actions have cost our family or what. they will continue to cost us in the. years ahead. But for my part, I will embrace the. responsibility of helping raise Alysa. and Ava. I want to show them what a. loving, honest, and faithful father. looks like and what a God- centered. servant-hearted marriage can be. That is a commitment that I intend to. live out every day. The responsibility I.

care most about now is how I can love. and raise these girls in a faithfilled. home. I cannot undo what Caleb has done. And I. cannot take away their grief or give. them back the moments they should have. had with Ashley. But I can be there for. them day after day and show them a. father's love through my actions. I've always been taught that how we. respond to life is what matters the. most. And here I am now more than ready to. respond with open arms.

I've always loved being a dad of girls. Helping raise these girls, Alyssa and. Ava, is a responsibility I never. expected and one I certainly don't take. lightly. Caleb's decision created a permanent. loss that has created permanent. consequences for our entire family. Ashley's daughters and countless others. Therefore, for the safety of my family. and the community around us, I. respectfully ask the court to give Caleb.

a home in prison for a sentence that. reflects the full extent of the law. This will reassure us that he will never. be able to enter any of our lives again. I had honor to read one of the girls. statements. And before I start, I just. like to say they they certainly have. their mother's gift of writing and this. is straight from their heart totally. unedited. And this is Avis. Dear Daddy, I don't even know where to start.

How could you do such a thing? I looked up to you. I loved you with all. my heart. And then you lied to everyone. Mommy was the perfect person. The. absolute perfect person. What did she. ever do to make you hate her so much? She loved you and she cared for you. She. took care of you. She loved you with all. her heart. She was my best friend.

And then you chose to kill the only. mother I ever had. I miss her so much. So, so, so much. You have no idea. How could you cheat on her and go to. that awful girl named Aaliyah? I never. liked her. She was just a girl who put. on a microphone to her mouth and spoke. words with a tune. Mommy may not have been a professional. singer, but she had the voice of an. angel. And she was an angel. She has.

been, she is, and she always will be. And plus, Daddy, affairs are a big sin. But there is still a chance. There's a. choice for everything in life. All you. have to do is tell God that you're sorry. and that you want to confess and repent. to him. I promise you it won't take away. your punishment, but you will have a. life in heaven someday. I cry and cry every day and my heart.

breaks to see the people I love hurt. I've seen images, pictures, and videos. of you everywhere on YouTube. My heart aches to see you hurt. But then. I think it was your choice. It was your choice to have an affair. It. was your choice to go off with that. dirty girl. It was your choice to leave the perfect. woman, Ashley. It was your choice to lie. to everyone. It was your choice to leave your only. two daughters. It was your choice to.

hide everything from everyone. And it was your choice to kill the only. mother I've ever had. Unfortunately, that was a choice that. cannot be erased, even though I really. wish it could. And look, you and Aaliyah. sinned big time, but you still have a. chance to tell God that you are sorry. I pray every night for you and Aaliyah. to confess to Jesus that you sinned. And. this is my prayer every night.

Dear Jesus, thank you for dying on the. cross for us and for our many blessings. Jesus, I pray that you would help Daddy. and Aaliyah to repent to you and confess. that they sinned. Please help them to realize what they've. done, to stop lying, and to tell the. truth to you in Jesus name. Amen. I promise you, Daddy, that is every. single night. Please tell Jesus that. you're sorry. And as I said before, it's. not going to change your punishment, but. it will determine your eternal reward.

someday. Remember, there's still a. chance. There is a choice for. everything. I hope you will bring Jesus. back into your heart. Love, Ava. >> Smith. >> Okay, I'm reading on behalf of Alyssa. >> Dear Caleb, this is your daughter. Alyssa.

I loved you deeply with all my heart. And it's sad that you can't love anyone. but yourself. I wish that you could come to understand. that actions have consequences and you. have a lot to pay. So please, you have. already caused so much pain to your. family and the world. The least you could do is tell everyone. you did it and receive your outcome. [snorts]. Also, please repent to God, the one who.

created you. Your time isn't over. Did you really even think about how much. pain you would bring your own two. daughters? By the way, Ashley Flynn was the best. thing that ever happened to you. You had the best life ever. and you decided to throw it away for a. girl who was half your age. How could you stand in that church and.

sing about how much you love God when. you knew all the secrets you had inside? And watch your girls cheering you on and. your wife who believed in you so much. and loved you more than life itself. You truly don't understand how much you. hurt my life. And I wish you could feel the pain I. have been through. Something so tragic. And to know that it.

was my father was just shocking. You made me feel like an idiot thinking. that I could trust you. But God has been working through me and. I have changed. Also, our family has. never been stronger. And through all of. what you put me through, God is going to work something out for. good. And by the way, I don't plan on coming.

to see you, Alyssa Flynn. Your honor, Jill and I are standing here. today to speak on behalf of our entire. family. But more importantly, we are. here to speak for our incredible. daughter Ashley since she cannot. There are no words to measure the depth.

of the hurt, the betrayal, pain, and. trauma that has been caused by the. murder of our daughter Ashley, the. mother of our two precious. granddaughters, Alyssa and Ava. Ashley had a profound impact on everyone. she met and brought so much light to our. family, our friends, our church, and our. community. Since her passing, we have received. hundreds and hundreds of cards and.

messages sharing the beautiful ways that. she touched their lives. To have Ash's life, which was so vibrant. and full of love cut short by such a. senseless, unimaginable, selfish act, has radically. changed our lives forever. We truly miss and cry for her every. single day.

Caleb, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps. what he sws. Ashley loved Jesus more than anything in. the whole wide world. And she is now. reaping what she sowed and living with. him now. And we cannot wait to be with. her again someday. Jesus tells us that if we want to be. forgiven of our sins, we must forgive. others their sins. And I want you to. know that Jill, myself, and our whole.

entire family that's here and. everywhere. We forgive you. for taking Ashley's life and also for. what you have done to all of us. We will. not let anger or bitterness consume the. wonderful memory of Ash. We honor when we while we choose. forgiveness for our own hearts, we still. desire absolute justice for Ashley. Because of the violent nature of her. murder compounded by a lack of. responsibility,

confession or remorse, we as a family. ask you to sentence him to the fullest. extent of the law. He took our daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, an aunt, a. cousin, a teacher, a coach, a friend, and a loving mother. And the consequences should match the. lifelong impact of his loss. Thank you, your honor, for your. consideration and for allowing us to. honor Ashley's memory even.

>> Thank you. Will the courts consider statements made. by Mr. Flynn and his council. [clears throat]. and essential memorandum that they filed. with the court? The court has also uh. considered the state's remarks and the. victim impact statements presented here. in the courtroom and the ones that were. submitted um on behalf of the remaining. extended families um that the court has.

already addressed. courts also consider. the purposes and principles of. sentencing as set forth in 292911. Um, Mr. Watkins, does the defendant have. any criminal record? I don't believe so. >> No, your honor. >> Thank you. The court has weighed the. recidivism and seriousness factor set. forth in 292912. and makes the following findings. Under. recism likely factors, defendant. demonstrates no genuine remorse. With. regard to recism less likely factors,

the court finds the defendant has no. prior adult record and has law been law. abiding for a significant number of. years. With regard to seriousness. factors, the court finds that the victim. suffered serious uh physical and uh. psychological harm. The offender held a. position of trust and uh with regard to. the victim and the offense was related. to that position. there was a. relationship with the victim that. facilitated the offense and as a result.

of this being a assault case in nature. uh the victim was a family member. household member and the offense. occurred in the vicinity of one or more. children with regard to less serious. factors the court finds none. court would like to make some sentencing. comments with to Mr. plan. and to the the gallery as a whole. A the. court's primary function and obligation. to is to impose a sentence that protects.

the public and in some cases where. appropriate to promote rehabilitation. However, having heard the evidence in. this case and having considered the jury. jury's findings of guilt as to all nine. counts, the court is left with one clear. and obvious conclusion that you, Mr. Flynn pose an extreme risk of harm to. the public. In fact, the highest risk. The only proper disposition is. punishment in this case. Your actions,

Mr. Flynn, were aborting. The layers of deceit, manipulation, and. cruelty that you have shown are quite. honestly impossible to found. And frankly, sir, you used your faith to. manipulate the lives of others. And the court finds that deeply. disturbing. And of all the awful things that you. said and you did, your marriage did not. need to end the way it did.

It did not have to end with the brutal. premeditated murder of your wife, Ashley. The mother of your children in her in. her own home, a place where she should. have been safe, a place where she should. have been loved. And while your children were sleeping. just a few feet away, you could have. walked away. You could have separated from her and. left her here on this earth.

to to be able to be with the pe people. that need her, who loved her, who look. forward to having her in their lives. But instead, through your greed, your. selfishness, your lust, and your. cruelty, you chose to take Ashley's. life. And in doing so, you did far more than. take the life of your wife. On that faithful day in February, the.

person who should have been protecting. their children shattered their lives. [snorts] You shattered their sense of. security. You shatter shattered their. innocence. You took them from them. You. took from them something they can never. get back. Their mother. They will live with the scars of what. you did for the rest of their lives. They will have to grow up with questions. that can never be answered.

And ultimately, your daughter has asked. the question that no child should ever. have to ask. and I quote, "What did. Ashley ever do to make you hate her so. much?". The court cannot answer that question. for her, and there's no answer that can. justify what you did. No sentence can. bring Ashley back to her children. But. there must be accountability, and there. must be justice.

So with that, the court has considered. the evidence in this case, the jury. verdicts, the nature and circumstances. of the offenses, the harm caused, and. the need to protect the public by. imposing the following sentence. Mr. Flynn, please stand.

Therefore, on count one, aggravated. murder, an unclassified felony, the. court imposes a prison sentence of life. without the possibility of parole, which. by operational law is a mandatory prison. sentence be served at the Ohio. Department of Rehabilitation and. Corrections. Counts two and six as. stipulated by the parties and is found. in this courtroom all merge into count. one because the state has elected to. have the defendant sentenced on count.

one. No separate conviction or sentence. will be imposed on counts two through. six. Counts two and six. >> Two through six, I'm sorry. Counts two. through six will merge into count one. And um there's no separate conviction or. sentence as to those counts. Um, pursuant to 292914. B1B, uh, as the gun specification that's. associated with count one, the court. will impose a mandatory three-year.

prison term for the gun spec associated. with count one. The court will further. impose a mandatory three-year prison. term for this firearm specification. attached to count two, another series. offense. Those specification terms shall. be served consecutive to one another and. prior to Mr. Flynn's prison term on. count one for total mandatory firearm. specification term of six years. Now as.

counts 7, 8, and nine, they do not merge. for purposes of uh Ohio law. Um they. will merge with each other or with count. one. So each uh the court finds each. count on 7, 8, and 9 involve a separate. piece of evidence, separate act, and. conduct occurring on separate dates. On. count seven, tampering with evidence, a. felony of the third degree, the court. imposes a 36-month prison sentence to be. served at the Ohio Department of.

Rehabilitation and Corrections. And on. count 7's gun specification, the court. exercises its discretion under 292914. B1B to impose the additional firearm. specification of one-year mandatory. prison to run prior to and consecutive. to any prison term on count seven. On count eight, again, a felony of the. third degree tampering with evidence, the court imposes 36 months to be served.

at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation. and Corrections. On count 9, again, a. felony three tampering with evidence, the court will impose 36 months to be. served at the Ohio Department of. Rehabilitation and Corrections. Counts. 7, 8, and 9 shall run consecutive to one. another and consecutive to count one. The defendant will serve seven years of. gun specifications followed by 9 years. of definite time on the tamperings. before serving uh his life without the.

possibility of um parole. Lastly, the court believes and finds. that consecutive sentences pursue to. 29294C. are necessary to protect the public from. future crime and to punish the defendant. and consecutive sentence are not. disproportionate to the seriousness of. defendants's conduct and the danger he.

poses to the public. And finally, the. court finds at least two of the multiple. offenses were committed as part of a. course of conduct and the harm caused by. two or more of the offenses was so great. or unusual that no single prison term. adequately reflects the seriousness of. the defendant's conduct. The court will grant the defendant. 229. days of jail time credit pursuant to the.

stipulation of the parties. I will not. impose a fine on any of the counts. Bub. will order defendant pay court cost. The. court will grant a judgment in that. amount in favor of Miami County Ohio. 294723. Um, there's been a submission of. restitution in the amount of $20,000. payable to Jill and Todd Smith for feral. expenses. The court will make a finding. that the defendant has a present and. future building pay restitution in that.

amount $20,000. payable to Todd and Jill Smith. Mr. Flynn, I am required to notify you as to. counts 7 through 9. You are subject to. post you may be subject to post-release. control supervision. Um. not this is notwithstanding the um. formal uh sentence by the court for um. uh life in prison without parole but. this court is required to to state this. to you. You may be required to serve a.

term of 2year [clears throat] term of. postrelease control. It's discretionary. Um, and that is dependent upon the PR uh, the adult paral authority determining. what that uh, term will be and um, if. it'll be imposed. If you're placed on. PRC, then you have to follow rules and. conditions that the adult paral. authority will establish with you. If. you um don't follow those rules and. comply, then they have the authority to. send you back to prison for up to 9.

months for any single rules violation up. to a maximum of 1/ half of your stated. original prison sentence or repeated. violations. Do you understand? >> Yes, sir. >> Do you understand? and can pick up a new. felony conviction while you're on PRC. and the sentencing court on a new. felony. Can look at the PRC term that. you're on, revoke and terminate it and. impose a separate prison sentence on it. Run that prior to consecutive day prison. sentence you get on the new felony. conviction and you'd be looking at. either a year time on the PRC or. whatever remains on the balance of your.

PRC term, whichever is greater. You. understand? >> Yes, ma'am. >> You understand? You have a right to. appeal this court's decision. >> Yes, ma'am. If you're going to file. appeal, it's be filed within 30 days. after the court sentences you. Do you. understand? >> Yes, sir. >> If you can't afford counsel for the. appeal, they'll pay for the cost of the. appeal. The court will go ahead point. council to represent you and then the. cost of your appeal will be paid with. public funds. Do you understand? >> Yes, sir. >> Council, any objection to any portion of. today's sentencing? >> No. >> Mr. Mulligan. >> Um, I'll lodge an objection for the.

future. lawyers. At this time, the court would like to. make a statement to the family. Um, Mr. Smith of Smith family as well as the. Kite family. You are incredibly strong. family and are really fortunate to have. one another. Please uh remain steadfast. in your faith and carry on Ashley's. light in everything that you do. She. will obviously be missed and for this. you have your court sympathy.

We're German. What?

Okay. Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

Yes. Starting with the back, please.

You're welcome. Yes.

>> Hi. If I don't see you again, >> too. [laughter]. All right. Thank you. Take care. Be. careful wherever you're off to.