Flynn, 40, was convicted on all nine charges brought against him, including aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence. The jury reached its verdict on Tuesday after about two and a half hours of deliberation.
Prosecutors said Flynn fatally shot Ashley, 37, at their home in Tipp City, Ohio, in February and then attempted to make the killing appear to be a home invasion. Flynn had initially told police that an intruder entered the house and shot his wife.
The case centred heavily on Flynn’s affair with 24-year-old Alleigha Botner, whom he met while she was an intern at his church. Prosecutors presented more than 100,000 messages exchanged between the pair, including messages in which Flynn expressed hatred toward his wife and discussed wanting to end the marriage.
According to prosecutors, Flynn wanted to leave his marriage and build a new life with Botner. In a message sent shortly before Ashley’s killing, Flynn reportedly wrote to Botner, “I choose you. I’m free. Actions will come tomorrow.”
Flynn appeared on “American Idol” in 2013, where he spoke about his wife’s support for his musical ambitions. He maintained his innocence during the investigation and pleaded not guilty throughout the trial. His defence argued that the prosecution’s case was largely circumstantial and that the affair did not prove he committed the murder.
Flynn is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5 and could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. His attorney has indicated that an appeal is expected.
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