Bombshell witness at American Idol murder trial. Lindsay Clancy back in court. Plus, Cornell lawsuit.

October 1, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Bombshell testimony seals conviction in American Idol murder trial, plus Delphi appeal and Cornell scandal

The most dramatic moment in the Caleb Flynn murder trial came when his former lover took the stand and read the jury a text message he had sent her just hours before his wife was killed: "I choose you, Alia. You're more than enough. Good night." The jury deliberated for just two and a half hours before returning a guilty verdict on all nine counts.

The affair that became a motive

Caleb Flynn, who competed on American Idol 13 years ago, was accused of murdering his wife Ashley as she slept in their bed and staging the scene to look like a home invasion. Prosecutors argued his motive was to start a new life with his 24-year-old lover, Alia Botner.

Alia testified that she met Flynn at their Ohio church in 2022 when she was a 20-year-old intern. Their relationship became romantic and sexual in March 2024. She knew he was married — prosecutors pressed her on this point — and the pair got matching Harry Potter lightning bolt tattoos, with Flynn getting his under his armpit so his wife would not find out.

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What you'll learn

1 (01:01) **Welcome to Dateline True Crime Weekly** - Andrea Canning introduces the episode's docket, including the Caleb Flynn verdict, Delphi appeal, Lindsey Clancy's court return, Cornell lawsuit, and a canine expert interview.
2 (01:28) **Caleb Flynn Guilty Verdict in American Idol Murder Trial** - A former American Idol contestant is found guilty of murdering his wife, with his lover's testimony serving as a bombshell witness.
3 (05:45) **Prosecution's Key Evidence: Texts and Tattoos** - Alia described secret communications and matching tattoos, and read incriminating messages to the jury.
4 (07:31) **The Breakup and Final Message** - Alia gave Flynn a deadline to leave his wife, and after he failed, she ended the affair, leading to a pivotal final communication.
5 (09:12) **Defense Strategy and Verdict** - The defense attacked Alia's credibility and chose not to call any witnesses, but the jury returned a swift guilty verdict.
6 (12:00) **Delphi Double Murder Appeal: Defense Argues for New Trial** - Richard Allen's attorneys argue his conviction for the 2017 murders of two girls should be overturned due to a flawed investigation and judicial errors.
7 (16:07) **Background: The 2017 Murders and "Bridge Guy"** - The chilling details of the girls' disappearance and the critical video evidence that led to Allen's arrest are recapped.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Caleb Flynn Alia Botner Lindsay Clancy Kevin Reddington

Show Notes

In Ohio, former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn is accused of murdering his wife and staging the scene to look like a break-in. His 24-year-old former lover took the stand against him before the jury delivered its verdict. In Delphi, Indiana, Richard Allen was convicted of the 2017 murders of teens Abigail Williams and Liberty German. His defense is now asking for a new trial. In Dateline Round Up, updates in the case of Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother whose trial for killing her three children ended in a hung jury. Questions hang over Cornell University as prosecutors re-open their investigation into a student’s allegations of sexual assault. Plus, a veteran K9 handler breaks down how police dogs help investigate crimes.

Listen to the latest episodes of the Dateline podcast, "Before & After with Lester Holt”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-after-with-lester-holt/id6806378137

Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com

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