Flynn, 40, was sentenced on Monday in an Ohio courtroom after being found guilty of shooting his wife in her sleep in their home in Tipp City, about 25 kilometres north of Dayton, in February this year. Prosecutors said he staged a home invasion and claimed a burglar was responsible.
Just before sentencing, Flynn tearfully apologised to his family, addressing his two young daughters who were in the house at the time of the murder. He called their births 'the greatest joy in this life' and accepted responsibility for his words and decisions, but maintained his innocence. 'As I stand here before God, who is my ultimate judge, I am not lying when I say I did not kill my wife,' he said.
Family members, including Ashley Flynn's parents, spoke in favour of the harsh sentence but said they had forgiven Flynn because they did not want her legacy to be hatred. Her sister, Kayla Keyt, said Flynn's actions had scarred the church community, prompting children to check that their fathers had not killed their mothers.
A statement written by Flynn's daughter, Ava, was read in court. It said: 'Mummy was the perfect person. The absolute perfect person. What did she ever do to you to make you hate her so much?' Flynn's other daughter, Alyssa, said she would not visit him in prison.
During closing arguments, prosecutors said Flynn wanted out of his marriage and sent a text message to his lover, Alleigha Botner, on the night of the murder.
Flynn appeared on American Idol in 2013, crediting his wife with encouraging him to pursue his dreams. He did not advance to the main competition in Hollywood.