Former Braham basketball standout, ‘American Idol’ contestant accused of murdering wife in Ohio

A shocking slaying in Ohio was allegedly carried out by a former standout basketball and football player from Braham, Minn., who went on to become an “American Idol” contestant.

Caleb Flynn, 39, was charged in Miami County Municipal Court with murder, assault and tampering with evidence last week in connection with the death of his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37, in the morning hours of Feb. 16.

Court records show that Flynn allegedly carried out the murder with a 9 mm handgun and that investigators were “led astray by the staging of the crime scene” by Flynn, who pleaded not guilty to all charges on Friday, Feb. 20.

Video of Flynn’s arraignment shows him telling Miami County Judge Anthony Kendell that “I just want to take care of my daughters, I’m not a flight risk,” before breaking down crying.

The court set Flynn’s bail at $2 million on all charges.

Flynn’s attorney, L. Patrick Mulligan, said in a statement that his client had entered a not guilty plea and looks forward to defending himself in court.

“We are both disappointed and concerned about the short timeline and seeming rush to judgment in this case,“ Mulligan said. ”When the government runs out of leads or can’t develop leads and looks at a surviving spouse in cases such as these, the chance of a wrongful conviction increases.”

Flynn was a member of the standout Braham basketball team that won three consecutive state titles from 2004-2006 and also was named first-team Great River Conference in football.

He was a contestant on Season 12 of American Idol when the judges were Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban. The season aired in 2013.

In a video posted by American Idol, Flynn says that his wife “kind of nudged me” to audition for the show. He said after making the show he “kind of cried a little bit because I’m a crybaby, but it was honestly pure joy.”

A 911 call that Flynn made was released by Miami County prosecutors. Flynn asks dispatch to “please hurry” and says that it appears someone had broken into his home.

“The door to the garage was wide open,” Flynn says. “Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. My daughters are here.”

An online obituary for Ashley Flynn notes that she was a “devoted and loving wife, and a caring and dedicated mother to her two daughters.” It notes that she was a teacher and seventh-grade volleyball coach who was a “shining light of joy to all who crossed her path, effortlessly encouraging others along the way.”