The alleged break-in was tested against the damaged doorway itself as Det. Brad Kline and Lt. Jason Moore testified in the Caleb Flynn trial. Both officers told the court that the condition of the garage access door did not match an outside forced entry in their experience.
Caleb Flynn, 40, is charged in the death of his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37, and has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys say Ashley was killed during a home invasion and police rushed to judgment; prosecutors allege Caleb staged the scene to make the killing look like a burglary.
Kline testified that debris from the broken lock was inside the garage. He said he and Det. Hammond removed the door frame, and the frame was assembled in the courtroom so its condition could be demonstrated. Kline also searched the attic for the gun, but said heavy insulation and inaccessible areas prevented a complete search. During cross-examination, he acknowledged investigators did not use an X-ray machine on the walls and that neighbors reported hearing nothing that night.
Moore used the same door setup to explain his view of the damage. He said the broken internal handle did not make sense for someone trying to force their way in because it would make opening the door more difficult. Moore described searching vent covers and other locations inside the home, along with outdoor searches using cameras, magnets, and additional tools. He said officers returned for numerous searches over the following weeks because each unsuccessful effort led them to broaden the next one and continue until they believed the available search options had been exhausted.
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