American Idol's Caleb Flynn faces court amidst wife's murder accusations

Caleb Flynn became emotional as he told a judge he is “not a danger” amid accusations he killed his wife.

On Friday (February 20), the 39-year-old former American Idol competitor had his first court hearing in the Miami County Municipal Court following the alleged murder of his 37-year-old wife, Ashley Flynn, in their Ohio home.

Local news outlet WLWT shared footage of the proceeding showing Caleb’s lawyer asserting his client's innocence, while the emotional father of two said to the judge, “Your Honor, I need to support my daughters. I am not a threat.”

Ashley was confirmed dead on February 16 after officers reacted to a call from Caleb stating a suspected home invasion in Tipp City.

"Somebody broke into my house and murdered my wife," the caller implored during the nearly eight-minute emergency call available from PEOPLE. "Please come quickly, I plead."

"She’s been shot three times, there's blood everywhere," the caller added, describing a wound to the head. "Ashley, sweetheart, sweetheart, hold on. Oh my God!"

The caller also told the dispatcher he was with his kids when the incident occurred and made the 911 call from the bedroom where Ashley’s body was found.

Days after the event, Caleb, a 2013 American Idol contestant, was taken into custody and faced charges of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and two counts of evidence tampering, as per online court records. He pleads innocence and is held on a $2 million bail.

Before Caleb’s latest court date, his attorney, L. Patrick Mulligan, mentioned that his client looks forward to demonstrating his innocence.

"We are both troubled and concerned by the rapid pace and apparent haste in decisions,” he shared in a statement to PEOPLE. 

“When leads dry up or are hard to develop, there’s a risk of wrongful charges, often aimed at surviving spouses in these tragedies."

After Ashley’s death, her family celebrated her for bringing “joy our way constantly” and expressed their belief that Caleb’s arrest "was the result of careful deliberation."

“Following dialogues with local and federal officials, we believe the process is being followed correctly,” they told Fox News. "Our faith sustains us — just as Ashley’s did day after day.”