Former Idaho lawmaker discovered responsible 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 wherein the young lady fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

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

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I admire your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty may be as high as life in prison, 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 legal professional who eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press generally does not identify individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

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

“Final however not least, it took an unbelievable amount of courage for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts said. “I need to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming forward.”

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

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she mentioned, shortly strolling out of the courtroom.

The decide gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to find her to determine if she would return and resume her testimony.

When she did not, the choose instructed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial understanding that Doe could not be capable of testify.

“I feel it’s important that she determined to walk within the room, and she or he also decided to walk out — those were 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 house to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues were going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Positive.’ We received up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the night. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No details were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who continuously harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

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

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

“Words present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from placing the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.