Caleb Flynn Trial Day 5: Botner Reveals His February 16 Message

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.

SPEAKER_2 (0:12)

Continue, please.

Alleigha Botner (0:15)

He said, I have no jobs tomorrow, and so I'll be at the barn the whole day, so we'll 100% do it.

SPEAKER_4 (0:20)

What's the barn?

Alleigha Botner (0:22)

It's at the Smith's house. It's where his office was.

SPEAKER_4 (0:27)

Please continue.

Alleigha Botner (0:29)

I said, thanks for the update. I had to ask to get one. I said, I'm so anxious about this because as soon as they find out, things are blowing up.

That's when it gets real. If you keep me in the loop without me having to ask, that would be great. He said, I'm sorry, I will. I said, also, if you change your mind, just let me know all in your hands. He said, since they weren't home, I didn't have any update. I'm not changing my mind. I said, yeah, but you not texting me anything made me 100% believe you chickened out. He said, if doing this gives me a 1% chance to have you, I'm doing it.

I said, it's great to know the time and details of this stuff. I could have gotten a I'm doing it tomorrow, so I'm not in my head. Do you really mean this? He said, with everything in me, I've stared at you all day today begging Jesus for one more chance to right the wrongs I've done to make you the happiest person alive.

I said, you know Todd and Jill are going to pull the God can heal any marriage you need to stay.

He said, don't care. Literally could care less what they say. He said Todd is going to flip, but I don't care. I said, I know this is scary. I need to know if you wake up tomorrow and change your mind. He said, I'll text you as soon as my eyes open. I said, I'm scared too. He said, I will protect you at all costs. I said, but no matter what happens between me and you, I need you to be free from a fake life and her. He said, I can't even imagine being free, releasing this weight and burden.

SPEAKER_2 (2:00)

So all of this is after church on the 15th, that's a Sunday, right?

Alleigha Botner (2:04)

Yeah.

SPEAKER_2 (2:04)

And this is all the day before Ashley was murdered?

Alleigha Botner (2:07)

Yes.

SPEAKER_4 (2:10)

106-968, please.

Alleigha Botner (2:15)

I said, well, it's right around the corner. If you fall through, it's going to be harder than hell at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. It's up to you. You need to follow the voice of God. Keep me updated. He said, I promise I will. I'll text you when I wake up confirming nothing has changed and then I'll be at the barn around 9 and we'll let you know when I'm heading there. I will not leave that barn tomorrow until I talk. I said, I'm sure they'll be out of town or something. Something will happen. Caleb said, then I'll FaceTime them. Nothing is stopping the Alleigha. I said, one time it was looking at your girls, looking in your girls' eyes and not wanting to hurt them. That could happen again too. So, when are you telling them? Caleb said, I get there at 9 and we'll see if both cars are there. If they are, I'm doing it right away. I said, I'm asking about your girls, Caleb. What are you telling your girls?

He said, oh, sorry. Tomorrow as well. They don't have school, so I'm going to come get them after. It's going to be crazy moving forward, so just taking things as it comes, but I will 100% get the girls. I said, will you be telling Matt or anyone else? I said, how will you word it to the girls? And are you moving your stuff out tomorrow? You better ask people if you could stay with them today or something. Are you taking Rosie? He said, I'm just going to be truthful with the girls. Won't be graphic, but will say that Ashley sinned and betrayed any trust or loyalty. We'll read them the Bible verse about a man leaving because of this. I'll be much more sensitive to them, but just have to be honest with them. I won't tell Matt tomorrow. After I talk to Todd and Jill, I'm out of there. And I'm going to do a hotel tomorrow. I've already been looking at rates on Miller Lane, and I won't take Rosie right away until I find a place. Do I even have a 1% chance I have another shot with you?