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 in which the young lady fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

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.

At 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 responsible of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I appreciate your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty will be as high as life in jail, on 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 removed gadgets 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 each other on the verdict.

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

The Related Press generally doesn't establish individuals who say they've 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 Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come back 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 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 that,” she stated, quickly 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 choose informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe could not be capable to testify.

“I believe it’s important that she determined to walk within the room, and she or he also decided to walk out — these had been her selections,” Welsh mentioned.

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

“Issues had been going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Certain.’ We acquired up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No details were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and personal particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy within the mistaken hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

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

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his side 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 whereas von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near 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 striking the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.