“If I could literally 𝘬iᩚll her and not go to hell, I would do it in a heartbeat,” Caleb Flynn allegedly texted his mistress before Ashley Flynn was fatally shot

Caleb Flynn in court (left); and Caleb Flynn with Ashley Flynn.

The former American Idol contestant on trial for his wife’s murder allegedly texted his mistress expressing an intention to 𝘬iᩚll his wife in the days before her dєatᩚh, prosecutors said in court this week.

Caleb Flynn, 40, has been charged with murder, among other offenses, in connection with the February 𝘬iᩚlling of 37-year-old Ashley Flynn.

Ashley was found fatally shot in the couple’s Tipp City, Ohio home in the early morning hours of Feb. 16 after Caleb frantically told a 911 dispatcher that an intruder had broken into the home and killed her. Investigators arrested him a few days later on accusations that he killed Ashley and staged the scene.

During opening statements at his trial on Friday, Sept. 18, prosecutors alleged Caleb planned to “execute” Ashley and had sent messages to his lover expressing his plans and intentions in the days leading up to her dєatᩚh.

“I was up until 4 a.m. last night crying, literally trying to think of ways to 𝘬iᩚll her and not go to jail,” Caleb allegedly wrote in one exchange, prosecutors said, as streamed online by Court TV. “If I could literally 𝘬iᩚll her and not go to hell, I would do it in a heartbeat. That is how dark and how hateful I feel.”

In one exchange hours before Ashley’s 𝘬iᩚlling, Caleb allegedly sent the woman a chilling message: “I choose you. I’m free. Actions will come tomorrow, February 16, a day I’ll never forget.”

That woman has not been accused of any wrongdoing by authorities.

Ashley Flynn (left); and Caleb Flynn and Ashley Flynn with family.

Ashley was a devoted mom to two young girls she shared with Caleb. She was also a beloved youth baseball coach and a church mentor in the community.

Caleb was a worship pastor at a local church and worked for Ashley’s family.

Her loved ones previously told PEOPLE she was always cheering on Caleb, including during his brief stint on American Idol, where he was a contestant on the 12th season. In an interview with the show in 2013, Caleb talked effusively about Ashley, adding that what made him unique was his faith and his “very, very pretty wife” who he loved “more than anything.”

Caleb Flynn on American Idol in 2013 (left); and Caleb Flynn mugshot.

Caleb has been charged with murder, aggravated murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and witness intimidation, according to his online court records.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.