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

The intern informed 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 intercourse was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I appreciate your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty can be as excessive as life in prison, 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 items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

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

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts stated. “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 started, 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 this,” 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 did not, the judge told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial realizing that Doe may not be able to testify.

“I feel it’s important that she decided to stroll within the room, and she also determined to stroll out — these had been her selections,” Welsh said.

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 out” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he stated.

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before 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 question. No details had been made public in regards to 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 name, photograph and personal particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “energy within the improper fingers” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, 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 show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage reveals lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he often 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 back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.