MIAMI COUNTY — Caleb Flynn has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
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News Center 7’s John Bedell was in the courtroom Monday afternoon listening to the witness impact statements.
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Flynn tearfully read a prepared statement, in which he started by addressing his daughters, who were 9 and 12 years old at the time of the murder, before going on to address his parents, brother, and in-laws.
“I made vows to Ashley on our wedding day, and I failed those vows,” Flynn went on to say.
Before reading a piece of scripture to end his statement, Flynn maintained his innocence.
“But as I stand here before God, who is my ultimate judge, I am not lying when I say I did not kill my wife,” Caleb Flynn said.
>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Caleb Flynn found guilty on all counts in murder of wife, Ashley
We heard emotional statements from Ashley Flynn’s family, including from her dad, her sister, and brother-in-law, who now have custody of Ashley and Caleb’s two daughters.
They’re raising the girls in their own home along with their own two daughters.
“I do forgive you,” said Kayla Keyt, Ashley’s sister. “I’ve forgiven you and Alleigha. Not because what happened should be ever excused or forgotten, and certainly not because they’re shouldn’t be severe consequences. I forgive you because i refuse to allow what you did do destroy another part of my life by filling my heart with hatred and bitterness.”
Ashley’s brother-in-law and mother read statements to the court that Ashley and Caleb’s two daughters wrote.
As Ashley’s sister mentioned Caleb Flynn’s mistress, Alleigha Botner, in her statement, so did Flynn’s two daughters in their written statements, which family members read for them.
“My heart aches to see you hurt,” said Matthew Keyt, Ashley brother-in-law who read one of the daughter’s letters. “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.”
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One of his daughters referred to her father by his first name, Caleb, in her letter.
They told their dad they hope he admits what he did to Jesus and asks for forgiveness.
“Ashley Flynn was the best thing that ever happened to you,” said Jill Smith, Ashley’s mom. “You had the best life ever. And you decided to throw it away for a girl who was half your age.”
“Your actions, Mr. Flynn, were abhorrent,” said Miami County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeannine Pratt. “The layers of deceit, manipulation, and cruelty that you have shown are quite honestly impossible to fathom.”
Then, Judge Pratt gave Caleb his sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
Flynn was found guilty on nine charges last week, including aggravated murder, murder, and tampering with evidence.
His attorney, Patrick Mulligan, spoke to reporters after the verdict was read.
Mulligan said that the defense planned to file an appeal and that Caleb stands by his innocence. They have 30 days to appeal from Monday.
“I will continue to fight for my innocence as long as the lord allows me to,” Flynn said.
In a hearing last Thursday, Judge Pratt ordered that Flynn will have to register on the state’s Violent Offender Registry if he is ever released from prison.
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FULL CALEB FLYNN MURDER TRIAL COVERAGE:
JURY SELECTION: Prosecutors, Defense continue questioning to seat jury in Caleb Flynn murder trial
DAY 2 OF TRIAL: Prosecutors say over 100k of texts part of evidence in Caleb Flynn Murder Trial
DAY 3 OF TRIAL: Law enforcement, coroner’s office testify in Caleb Flynn murder trial
DAY 4 OF TRIAL: Ashley Flynn’s family testifies on Day 4 of Caleb Flynn murder trial
DAY 5 OF TRIAL: Caleb Flynn’s mistress testifies during Day 5 of murder trial
DAY 6 OF TRIAL: Mistress of Caleb Flynn continues testimony on Day 6 of Murder Trial
DAY 8 OF TRIAL: State, defense rests case in Caleb Flynn murder trial