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 younger lady fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern instructed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condo after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the sex was consensual.

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

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

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was learn, as he has all through the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I admire your attention ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 year in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty will be as excessive as life in jail, on the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly with his legal professional who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, couldn't be immediately reached for comment after the trial.

The Associated Press usually does not establish people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on 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.

“Last however not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of courage for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts stated. “I need to acknowledge the courage that she took in coming forward.”

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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe said.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she did not, the judge informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

“I think it’s essential that she determined to stroll within the room, and she or he also determined to walk out — those had been her choices,” Welsh mentioned.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condominium to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Issues were going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No details were made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photograph and private details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power in the fallacious arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley said.

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

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

But von Ehlinger’s attorney told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

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