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

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

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I respect your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty could be as excessive 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 with his legal professional who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

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

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

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

“Final however not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want 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, before 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 this,” she stated, rapidly walking 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 didn't, the judge advised the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe could not be able to testify.

“I feel it’s essential that she decided to stroll in the room, and she or he also determined to stroll out — those were her choices,” Welsh said.

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

“Things have been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she want to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a question. No particulars had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, 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 regulation enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy in the incorrect hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she stated, 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 harm shows lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his facet 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 regularly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near 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 placing the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.