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 wherein 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 house after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger mentioned the sex was consensual.

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, however 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 throughout the trial.

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as high 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 lawyer who eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

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

In a press conference, 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 incredible quantity of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts said. “I need to acknowledge the braveness 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 that,” she mentioned, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the judge told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe could not be able to testify.

“I feel it’s necessary that she decided to walk in the room, and she also decided to walk out — these had been her choices,” Welsh said.

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 apartment to “hang around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Things have been going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the night. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No details were 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 a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photo and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who frequently harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

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

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of law 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 occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one 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 said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he incessantly 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 placing the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.