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 by which the younger girl 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 two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said 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 guilty Friday of rape. He was found not responsible of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty might be as excessive as life in jail, at the decide’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 eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

Von Ehlinger’s lawyer, Jon Cox, couldn't be instantly reached for comment after the trial.

The Associated Press usually doesn't establish individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

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

“Last however not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts said. “I need to acknowledge the courage 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 mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

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

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial realizing that Doe could not be able to testify.

“I think it’s important that she decided to stroll in the room, and she or he additionally determined to walk out — these had been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his apartment to “hang around” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues have been going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she want to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We bought up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the evening. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No details have been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

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

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of regulation 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 happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

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