'American Idol' alum Caleb Flynn's in trial for murder

Caleb Flynn, a former American Idol contestant, went on trial this week in Troy, Ohio, accused of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37, in their bed and staging the scene to look like a home invasion. 

Flynn, 40, who competed on the singing competition in 2013, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and witness intimidation.

During opening statements Friday, September 18, prosecutor Paul M. Watkins told jurors that investigators uncovered more than 100,000 messages exchanged between Flynn and a mistress over the year before Ashley's death, messages Watkins said go to the heart of the case.

Among the most damning alleged texts, prosecutors say Flynn wrote, "I was up until 4 a.m. last night crying, literally trying to think of ways to kill her and not go to jail," and separately, "If I could literally kill her and not go to hell, I would do it in a heartbeat. That is how dark and how hateful I feel." 

Prosecutors also allege that the night before Ashley was killed, Flynn texted his mistress, "I choose you. I'm free," followed by, "Actions will come tomorrow, February 16, a day I'll never forget." 

Ashley was shot twice in the back of the head while in bed, according to prosecutors.

Flynn's defense has acknowledged the affair but argued the prosecution's case rests largely on circumstantial evidence, noting that the murder weapon has never been recovered. 

Defense attorney Emily Smith told the court, "The evidence will show text messages between Caleb and his mistress. At times Caleb said hurtful, selfish things about his wife Ashley to appease his mistress. They will also demonstrate that he was texting his mistress about making plans regarding a divorce throughout the time of their relationship."

When Flynn called 911 the night of the shooting, he reportedly told the dispatcher his wife had been shot twice in the head and claimed he hadn't been sleeping in the same room, saying he was "with the children when it happened." 

The couple's young daughters were reportedly still asleep in their room when police arrived. 

Ashley and Caleb met at Lee University in Tennessee and married in 2010. 

The trial is ongoing.