Caleb Flynn Trial Day 5: Botner Changed Her FBI Answer After WHAT?!

Tony Brueski (0:00)

You're listening to continuing coverage in the trial of Caleb Flynn from the Hidden Killers podcast and True Crime Today. Now, back to the courtroom.

Judge (0:12)

Ms. Smith, would you like to inquire with this witness?

SPEAKER_3 (0:14)

Thank you, Your Honor.

SPEAKER_4 (0:22)

In the days following Ashley's death, in the three days following, we conducted several internet searches regarding the case.

SPEAKER_5 (0:31)

Is that correct?

Alleigha Botner (0:33)

I believe so.

SPEAKER_7 (0:34)

And some of those internet searches included stories of wife being murdered and no suspect found.

SPEAKER_5 (0:41)

Is that correct?

Alleigha Botner (0:45)

Yes.

SPEAKER_9 (0:46)

On the, and that was approximately on February 17th, to your knowledge?

Alleigha Botner (0:51)

Probably.

SPEAKER_9 (0:52)

On approximately February 19th, you searched homicides in America that still remain unsolved.

Alleigha Botner (0:59)

Yes.

SPEAKER_11 (1:00)

Following that, more recent homicides in America that still remain unsolved.

Alleigha Botner (1:06)

Yes.

SPEAKER_4 (1:06)

You also searched your own name and Ashley's name.

Alleigha Botner (1:09)

Yes.

SPEAKER_4 (1:10)

Who is executive pastor of Anas and Marshall?

Alleigha Botner (1:14)

He's the executive pastor at Christian Life Center.

SPEAKER_5 (1:16)

What was your relationship to him?

Alleigha Botner (1:19)

We were on staff together and also we were friends.

SPEAKER_12 (1:24)

Did he reach out to you in the days following Ashley's death to check up on you?

Alleigha Botner (1:30)

I don't know if it was the days following, but I know he did reach out to me.

SPEAKER_5 (1:33)

Can you tell me about what you had told him?

Alleigha Botner (1:37)

I'm sorry. I can't remember what I told him. I just...

SPEAKER_13 (1:41)

After you were discussing the case with him, the investigation with him?

SPEAKER_5 (1:49)

Probably. And did you indicate to him that...

SPEAKER_14 (1:52)

Objection on your side.

SPEAKER_13 (1:54)

Sustained.

SPEAKER_9 (1:57)

You testified that you were transported to the Chit City Police Department for an interview on February 20th, is that correct?

Alleigha Botner (2:06)

Yes.

SPEAKER_7 (2:07)

And at that time, were you aware of whether or not Caleb was already in custody?

Alleigha Botner (2:14)

Yes, I was.

SPEAKER_9 (2:19)

Prior to giving any statements to the FBI, were you advised to tell the truth?

Alleigha Botner (2:27)

By who? Sorry?

SPEAKER_11 (2:28)

Did the FBI instruct you to tell the truth?

Alleigha Botner (2:33)

Prior to meeting with the FBI?

SPEAKER_15 (2:34)

Before speaking with them?

SPEAKER_13 (2:36)

In an interview room in the City Police Department?

Alleigha Botner (2:43)

Yes.

SPEAKER_9 (2:45)

And at the time, you knew what the contents of the interview would be with the FBI, correct?

Alleigha Botner (2:52)

I could guess, yeah.

SPEAKER_9 (2:54)

And you could guess that it was regarding Ashley Flynn's death? So, knowing that you were there to provide statements regarding Ashley's death, at that time, you were not truthful with the FBI in your first interview?

Alleigha Botner (3:11)

I wasn't.

SPEAKER_9 (3:12)

And you testified on direct extenuation that that was out of your interest to protect your reputation? I think it was approximately February 26th that you attended a second interview with the attorney, is that correct?

Alleigha Botner (3:30)

Sounds right.

SPEAKER_9 (3:33)

And was that with the same two FBI agents at the Texas Police Department?

Alleigha Botner (3:38)

Yes, same two people.

SPEAKER_9 (3:41)

In your first interview, you indicated that you did not believe that Caleb killed Ashley, is that correct?

Alleigha Botner (3:49)

I said that before I admitted to the affair, yes.

SPEAKER_9 (3:55)

Okay. And in the second interview, you indicated that you did believe that Caleb killed his wife.

SPEAKER_12 (4:09)

And that was in the second interview when you had retained council.

Alleigha Botner (4:16)

Can you explain retain council?

SPEAKER_11 (4:18)

He hired a lawyer, and that was in the second interview.

Alleigha Botner (4:21)

Yes.

SPEAKER_9 (4:25)

Now, you had no involvement in the investigation with law enforcement outside of those two interviews, correct?

Alleigha Botner (4:31)

No, I'm not.

SPEAKER_9 (4:32)

So, your statements to the FBI that you believed that Caleb killed his wife were based off of your relationship and your conversations with him?

Alleigha Botner (4:42)

Just my opinion, yeah.

SPEAKER_13 (4:44)

Can you tell me what about your relationship and your conversations with Caleb led you to believe that killed his wife?

Alleigha Botner (4:52)

I simply thought that it was way so much of a coincidence that she was all of a sudden dead on the day that he was going to divorce her.

SPEAKER_9 (5:03)

Prior to the FBI coming, you said they came to your mother's house to pick you up?

Alleigha Botner (5:08)

Yes.

SPEAKER_13 (5:09)

Okay.

SPEAKER_9 (5:09)