Former Idaho lawmaker discovered guilty of raping intern

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A former Idaho lawmaker was convicted Friday of raping a 19-year-old legislative intern after a dramatic trial during which the young woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condo after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, but he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was found guilty Friday of rape. He was discovered not guilty of sexual penetration with a overseas object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the decision was read, as he has all through the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I respect your attention ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty could be as high as life in jail, at the choose’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly together with his attorney who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however as soon as they reached a decrease floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, could not be instantly reached for remark after the trial.

The Associated Press usually doesn't determine people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts said. “I want to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming ahead.”

Doe testified on the second day of the trial. She haltingly described the moments the alleged assault began, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she stated, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

The judge gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to search out her to determine if she would return and resume her testimony.

When she didn't, the decide told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe may not be capable of testify.

“I believe it’s important that she decided to walk in the room, and she or he additionally decided to walk out — those had been her choices,” Welsh stated.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his condo to “hang around” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Issues had been going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Sure.’ We acquired up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No details were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who regularly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “power in the improper palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of legislation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.