Former “American Idol” singer Caleb Flynn gets life in prison

[00:00:00] Speaker ?: Thank you. [00:00:30] Speaker 1: Please have a seat on the record. Good afternoon it is Monday October 5th, 2026. We are here on case number 26 CR 88, State of Ohio v. Caleb C. Flint. Is there you, Caleb Flint? Yes, Your Honor. This matter comes on for a sentencing hearing today. Present in the courtroom on behalf of Mr. Flint 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, Matt Joseph and Bill Garnett. Is there any legal reason, Mr. Mulligan, the court should not proceed with the sentencing? No, Your Honor. Just as a few preliminary matters, on October 1st, the court advised the defendant at a hearing of his presumption to enroll in the violent offender database as a result of his conviction on counts 1 through 4. A defendant was given an opportunity to file a motion to rebut that presumption stating that he was not the principal offender. He didn't. Therefore, the court, the defendant will be required to register in the Ohio violent offender database for a period of 10 years. 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? [00:02:15] Speaker 2: Yes, Your Honor. [00:02:16] Speaker 1: Mr. Flint, I'm showing you a one-page form. Do you recognize this as the notice to enroll in the violent offender database? Yes, Your Honor. Have you read this over? Yes, Your Honor. Did you understand it? Yes, Your Honor. Did Mr. Mulligan or Ms. Smith answer any questions you might have with regard to what is stated in it? They did, Your Honor. Do you have any questions on the court? No, ma'am. Is that your signature there on the bottom left? Yes, Your Honor. All right. I'm going to go over a little bit with you as well. Mr. Flynn, you've been convicted of a qualifying violent offender in sense as defined in 2903.41 of the Ohio Revised Code. If you 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 jail. If you are an out-of-state 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 1, residing in or occupying a dwelling in Ohio for more than 3 consecutive days or 2, 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 sheriff's cert information including your full name and any aliases used by you, your residence 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 have 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 identification number of each vehicle, the vehicle identification number of each vehicle, and as well a description of any scars, tattoos or other distinguishing marks on your person. Do you understand? Yes, Your Honor. You're required to provide the sheriff's fingerprints and palm prints. 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 re-enroll 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, Your Honor. 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, Your Honor. Now, you are required to comply with all described requirements for a period of 10 years unless your sentencing court determines otherwise. Do you understand? Yes, Your Honor. Do you understand that failure to enroll or failure to verify your residence address at the specified times will result in criminal prosecution? Yes, Your Honor. Yes, Your Honor. Or hold. Execute your acknowledgement of that. Okay, State. [00:05:41] Speaker ?: Okay. [00:05:43] Speaker 1: All right. Another preliminary matter is the issue of merger. Are there any stipulations by counsel as to that issue? Thank you. [00:05:52] Speaker ?: Thank you. [00:05:52] Speaker 1: Thank you. Mr. Wilmarkins? [00:05:54] Speaker 3: Your Honor. We've met in chambers. We would agree that counts one through six merge, not the specifications, but the counts themselves. And the state would like to proceed to sentencing on count one, aggravated murder. [00:06:06] Speaker 1: Is that your understanding, Mr. Wilmarkins? Yes, Your Honor. Based upon 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 in court. Based upon the facts that were listed at trial, the court finds that those counts arose from the same course of action against one victim and were committed with the same animus 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, would you like to make any statement on behalf of your client? [00:06:55] Speaker 2: Yes, Your Honor, briefly. We filed the section memorandum earlier this morning. We, of course, would reiterate that and stand on that. As far as the discretion that the court has on count number one, it's somewhat limited. I would urge the court to exercise discretion so as to allow parole review. Obviously, Mr. Flynn has no prior record. I don't believe based on the facts of the case that a finding and we would reject any finding that this was the worst form of the offense. I would suggest respectfully that great media attention, social media attention is not the basis upon which to find that. And we would ask that the counts that can be run concurrently be run concurrently. We understand the issue with the gun specifications that the court was kind enough to provide us with. We understand the current state of the law in order to help perhaps with the stance of the appellate lawyers that would ultimately review this. We would respectfully object to the finding that two of the gun specs have to be consecutive. I think it defies logic, but we understand what the correct law is. Thank you. [00:08:24] Speaker ?: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [00:08:26] Speaker 1: Your Honor, there are moments in the courtroom when the law requires us to speak about numbers, years, counts, and sentences. Today it 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. [00:08:39] Speaker 3: The defendant, Caleb Flynn, did not kill a stranger in a sudden confrontation. He murdered a woman in the courtroom, and we have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:09:03] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:09:04] Speaker 3: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:09:32] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:09:33] Speaker 3: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. 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We have to be in the courtroom. [00:10:51] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:11:00] Speaker 3: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. 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[00:21:39] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:21:40] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:21:44] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:21:45] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:21:48] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:21:51] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:00] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:12] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:16] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:18] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:20] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:22] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:30] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:43] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:55] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:22:56] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:00] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:09] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:11] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:12] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:14] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:15] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:22] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:23] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:28] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:29] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:43] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:44] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:46] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:51] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:54] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:55] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:23:59] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:09] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:11] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:15] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:19] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:21] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:24] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:27] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:30] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:39] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:42] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:46] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:54] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:24:55] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:09] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:11] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:21] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:24] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:28] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:29] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:39] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:41] Speaker 4: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:48] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. [00:25:59] Speaker 1: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:26:00] Speaker ?: We have to be in the courtroom. [00:26:09] Speaker 1: We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. 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We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. We have to be in the courtroom. And, Caleb, 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 have 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 is 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 am 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. [00:34:31] Speaker ?: Thank you Mrs. Cutter. Mr. Cutter, would you like to offer? [00:34:37] Speaker 6: I heard a statement this past week that stayed with me. He 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 feet away. They repeatedly ask why he would do such a thing. [00:35:26] Speaker ?: How could he take their mother away and rob them of a lifetime of memories with her. [00:35:26] Speaker 6: We obviously don't have an answer that can make that understandable or ease their pain. Nearly every day we watch as Ashley's daughter. 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 feet 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 Alyssa 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 faith-filled home. I cannot undo what Caleb has done. 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 permanent loss. It 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 world. This will reassure us that he will never be able to enter any of our lives again. I had the honor to read one of the girls' statements. And before I start, I'd just like to say they certainly have their mother's gift of writing. And this is straight from their heart, totally unedited. And this is Ava's. Dear Daddy, I don't even know where to start. How could you do such a thing? 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. [00:42:32] Speaker 7: I'm reading on behalf of Alyssa. Dear Caleb, this is your daughter, Alyssa. I love 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. 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. 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 loved 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. [00:44:57] Speaker 8: Your Honor, Jill and I are standing here today to speak on behalf of our entire family. But more informally, 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 sows. 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. Your Honor, 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. [00:47:44] Speaker 1: Thank you. Well, the court is considered a statement made by Mr. Flynn and his economical and a second memorandum that they filed with the court. The court has also considered the state's remarks and the victim impact statements presented here in the courtroom and the ones that were submitted on behalf of the remaining extended family that the court has already addressed. The court has also considered the purposes and principles of sentencing as set forth in 29-29-11. 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 factors set forth in 29-29-12 and makes the following findings. Under recidivism, likely factors, defendant demonstrates no general remorse. With regard to recidivism, less likely factors, the court finds the defendant has no prior adult record and has been law-abiding for a significant number of years. With regard to seriousness factors, the court finds that the victim suffered serious physical and psychological harm. The offender held a position of trust 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 an assault case in nature, the victim was a family member, household member, and the offense occurred in the vicinity of God and more children. With regard to less serious factors, the court finds none. The court would like to make some sentencing comments to Mr. Flynn and to the gallery as a whole. The court's primary function and obligation 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'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 abhorrent. The layers of deceit, manipulation, and cruelty that you have shown are quite honestly impossible to fathom. And frankly, sir, you used your faith to manipulate the lies 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 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 be able to be with the 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 fateful day, February, the person who should have been protecting their children shattered their lives. You shattered their sense of security. You 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, [00:52:53] Speaker ?: the harm caused, [00:52:53] Speaker 1: 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 to be served at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Counts two and six, as stipulated by the parties that have been found in this courtroom, all merge into count one because the state has elected to have a defendant sentenced on count one. No separate conviction or sentence will be imposed on counts two through six. You said counts two through six. Two through six. I'm sorry. Counts two through six will merge into count one and there's no separate conviction or sentence us to those counts. Pursuing to 29-29-14-B-1-B, 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 the firearm specification attached to count two, another series of events. Those specification terms shall be served consecutive to one another and prior to Mr. Flynn's prison term on count one for a total mandatory firearm specification term of six years. Now, as to count seven, eight, and nine, they do not merge for purposes of Ohio law. They will merge with each other or with count one. So each, the court finds, each count on seven, eight, and nine involved a separate piece of evidence, separate act, and conduct occurring on a separate date. On count seven, tampering with evidence of felonies of third degree, the court imposes a 36-month prison sentence to be served at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. And on count seven's gun specification, the court exercises its discretion under 29-29-14-B-1-B 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 a third degree tampering with evidence, the court imposes 36 months to be served at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. On count nine, again, a felony three tampering with evidence, the court will impose 36 months to be served at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Count seven, eight, and nine shall run consecutive to one another and consecutive to count one. The defendant will serve seven years of gun specifications followed by nine years of definite time on the tamperings before serving his life without the possibility of parole. lastly, the court believes and finds that consecutive sentences pursued to 29-29-14-4-C are necessary to protect the public from future crime and to punish the defendant and consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of the defendant'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 for credit pursuant to the stipulation of the parties. I will not impose a file on any of the counts, but will order the defendant to pay court costs. The court will grant the judgment in that amount in favor of my name of the county. Ohio pursuant to 294723. There's been a submission of restitution in the amount of $20,000 payable to Jill and Todd Smith for funeral 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 seven through nine you may be subject to post-release control supervision. This is notwithstanding the formal sentence by the court for life in prison without parole, but this court is required to state this to you. You may be required to serve a term of two-year term of post-release control. It's discretionary. And that is dependent upon the adult formal authority determining what that term will be and it will be imposed. If you're placed under the CRC, then you have to follow the rules and conditions that the adult formal authority will establish with you. If you don't follow those rules and comply, then they have the authority to send you back to prison for up to nine months for any single rules violation, up to a maximum of one-half of your stated original prison sentence for repeated violations. Do you understand? Yes, Your Honor. Do you understand if you pick up a new felony conviction while you're on PRC, then the sentencing court on a new felony can look at the PRC term that you're on, revoke and terminate it, impose a separate prison sentence on it, run that prior to consecutive to any prison sentence you get on the new felony conviction and you'll be looking at either a year of time on the PRC or whatever remains on the balance of your PRC return, whichever is greater. Do you understand? Yes, Your Honor. Do you understand you have a right to appeal this court's decision? Yes, Your Honor. If you're going to file an appeal, it's going to be filed within 30 days after the court's sentence issue. Do you understand? Yes, Your Honor. If you can't afford counsel for the appeal or pay for the cost of the appeal, the court will go ahead and point counsel to represent you and then the cost of your appeal will be paid with public funds. Do you understand? Yes, Your Honor. Counsel, any objection to any portion of today's sentencing? No, Your Honor. Mr. Morgan? [00:59:42] Speaker 2: I'll lodge an objection for the future health lawyers. [00:59:50] Speaker 1: At this time, the court would like to make a statement to the family. Mr. Smith, the Smith family as well as the Coyte family, you are an incredibly strong family and are really fortunate to have one another. Please 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 to quote C for sympathy. We're adjourned. [01:00:39] Speaker ?: Thank you.