A reality TV contestant, a mistress and a murder: The shocking trial gripping the nation right now

Entertainment‘American Idol’ alum allegedly texted mistress chilling plans to kill his wife days before she was shot deadCaleb Flynn on "American Idol."American Idol“American Idol” alum Caleb Flynn is on trial for the murder of his wife, Ashley Flynn — and prosecutors claim he texted his mistress about wanting to kill Ashley.Ashley was fatally shot in the Flynns’ Tipp City, Ohio, home on Feb. 16, 2026. She was 37. Caleb, 40 — who competed on season 12 of “American Idol” and made it to Hollywood week — was arrested four days later due to alleged inconsistencies in his statements. Caleb’s trial kicked off with opening statements on Friday, Sept. 18. Prosecutor Paul Watkins read aloud text messages that Caleb allegedly sent to his longtime mistress. “I was up until 4:00 a.m. last night crying, literally trying to think of ways to kill her and not go to jail,” Caleb allegedly wrote just days before Ashley’s murder. “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.”Caleb’s lawyer Emily Smith admitted in her opening remarks that Caleb said “ugly, hurtful, selfish things about his wife” at times, but reminded the jury that he is not on trial for “being a bad husband.”Caleb pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence. During the investigation, he told police an intruder broke into the family’s home and killed Ashley. During opening statements, the prosecution said there was no evidence of a home invasion. Watkins also told jurors Caleb was known to keep a 9mm handgun in his car’s center console, which investigators found open and empty after Ashley’s murder. The bullets used to kill Ashley were the same caliber as Caleb’s missing handgun. The murder weapon was never found. Caleb and Ashley’s two daughters were inside the family’s home when Ashley was killed. The daughters, who will be allowed to testify behind a partition, were 12 and 9 at the time of the murder. Ashley’s parents and sister have custody of the girls, according to People.READ MORE: Cindy Crawford’s son has died at 27 — and his sister’s recent interview about his struggles is heartbreakingCaleb spoke highly of Ashley when he appeared on “American Idol” in 2013, noting that she encouraged him to audition. “I love my wife more than anything,” he said on the show. “She is very, very pretty. I love her.”If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org.Is ‘Widow’s Bay’ a real place? Inside the Emmy-winning show’s spooky locale‘Big Brother’ alum says season 28 costar is not a ‘very bright strategic player’Netflix star addresses shocking cancellation of beloved show after 5 seasonsIs ‘Monster’ star Ella Beatty related to actor Warren Beatty?Sara Donnellan is a trending entertainment news writer. She worked as a TV news reporter for NJ.com, covering scripted and reality television and other viral TV moments, answering viewers’ burning questions and...