Victim impact statements from Flynn trial paint a community tragedy
By BJ Bethel
Kayla Keyt said the killing of her sister in February triggered loss and trauma not only among their only family, but also in their community and religious life.
During Caleb Flynn’s sentencing on Monday, October 5, Keyt said children who knew Ashley Flynn Smith had experienced nightmares and grief after she was killed on February 16 in her Tipp City home. Her remarks were among the victim impact statements read to the court before he was sentenced to life without parole by Miami County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeannine Pratt.
“It would absolutely break Ashley’s heart to know an entire group of children in Tipp City, the LifeWise program, Christian Life Center, and beyond, have now experienced such fear that some of them still run to their parents’ bedroom in the morning to make sure no one broke in and shot their mother,” Keyt said.
Caleb Flynn was found guilty of one count of aggravated murder, three counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault on September 29.
The murder and trial drew national attention. Court TV aired much of it live while live-streaming it on YouTube. Multiple local and national outlets also live-streamed the trial and covered the proceedings on the internet.
Keyt blasted Flynn, not only for the death of her sister, but for putting the family through a national ordeal. She said the family prayed he would confess and spare them the emotional cost of a public trial. She said the couple’s daughters are aware of the national attention and blamed Flynn for exposing them to more hurt.
“Now the grotesque details of what happened to Ashley, and the evil and vile things you said about her and our family, are permanently public,” Keyt said. “We can shield (them) today, but we cannot erase the internet,” Keyt said. “Someday your daughters may search their mother’s name or yours and discover details about the worst night of their lies that we’ve desperately tried to protect them from.”
In a statement to the court, Flynn apologized to his former in-laws and maintained his innocence.
Keyt was among several family members who spoke at the sentencing. Her husband Matt spoke at length about raising his nieces before reading a statement from the Flynn's oldest daughter.
“Dear Daddy, I don’t even know where to start,” Matt Keyt said, reading a statement from the couple’s oldest daughter. “How could you do such a thing?
“It was your choice to kill the only mother I ever had. Unfortunately, that’s a choice that can’t be erased, even though I really wish it would.”
Jill Smith, Ashley’s mother, read a statement from the youngest daughter.
“I wish you would understand that actions have consequences. You have caused so much pain to your family and the world. Please repent to God.”
Todd Smith, Ashley’s father, asked the court to sentence him to life without parole.
“The consequences should match the lifelong impact of this loss,” Todd Smith said.
The victim impact statements and trial testimony reflected the far-reaching impact of Ashley Flynn Smith’s killing, as well as the intruder story Flynn told police after his wife was shot and killed.
Believing her killer was loose, panic gripped the family as they dealt with the sudden grief. Kayla Keyt said her husband boarded the windows and doors shut in the family home out of fear the intruder was targeting the Smith sisters.
Flynn was arrested days after the killing. The statement reflected a family’s loss and betrayal by a trusted member and the arduous task of raising two girls amid irrecoverable grief.
“There’s no roadmap for helping children understand their father murdered their mother while they slept 50 feet away,” Matt Keyt said.
Flynn was booked into the Ohio Correctional Reception Center in Orient on Friday, October 9.
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