Jurors spent hours Thursday listening to droves of messages exchanged between former “American Idol” contestant Caleb Flynn and his former mistress, Alleigha Botner, before defense attorneys sought to recast the relationship as an emotionally volatile affair centered on divorce â not murder.
The day ended with an digital forensics expert beginning testimony about data recovered from Flynn’s cellphone.
Here are the biggest moments from Day 6 of testimony:
AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANTS 100K TEXTS WITH MISTRESS SHOW MOTIVE IN WIFES MURDER, PROSECUTORS SAY
Botner testified that she and Flynn exchanged messages about wanting his wife dead months before Ashley was killed.
“I just wish I didn’t say this,” she said as she became emotional on the stand.
Botner then read her message to Flynn: “I want to kill her, Caleb.”
She said Flynn responded: “That makes two of us.”
WATCH: Caleb Flynn had ominous response when mistress said I want to kill her
Prosecutors focused heavily on the final hours before , walking jurors through messages exchanged the night before her death.
Botner repeatedly questioned whether Flynn was prepared to leave his wife.
AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANTS 100K TEXTS WITH MISTRESS SHOW MOTIVE IN WIFES MURDER, PROSECUTORS SAY
“I said, ‘Caleb, I’ve never felt anything as deep as I felt with you. I trusted you with my heart. I’m terrified. But thank you for saying all that. We will see if your actions finally match your words,'” Botner testified, reading from the messages.
She said Flynn responded: “I’ve never felt anything like it either. It’s why I know it’s actually real … I’m terrified as well, but tomorrow it all starts.”
AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANTS 100K TEXTS WITH MISTRESS SHOW MOTIVE IN WIFES MURDER, PROSECUTORS SAY
When Botner asked whether he was “more excited or scared,” Flynn allegedly replied: “Well, I got a pretty massive day tomorrow so I’m gonna head to sleep. Please be praying for me and I’ll update you the whole time.”
Later in the conversation, Botner testified she wrote: “You’re about to be free.”
MISTRESS SAYS SHE GAVE AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANT ULTIMATUM BEFORE WIFES KILLING BLEW UP AFFAIR
She said Flynn replied: “I choose you … You’re more than enough. Good night.”
Botner testified she later went to Ashley’s parents’ home, where church staff had gathered after the shooting.
She said Flynn hugged her shortly after she arrived.
“The first thing he said to me was, ‘It didn’t happen the way we thought it would, did it?'”
She testified she immediately questioned him about what happened and became increasingly suspicious as he described hearing a gunshot, finding blood inside the home and discovering Ashley.
Emily Smith sought to reframe the prosecution’s key evidence, arguing Botner understood Flynn’s messages to be about leaving his wife â not killing her.
Smith asked whether Flynn’s repeated references to becoming “free,” taking action and leaving Ashley meant he intended to divorce her.
“Yes,” Botner replied.
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