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 younger woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condo after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger mentioned 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 verdict was read, as he has all through the trial.

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty could be as high as life in prison, at the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly with his attorney 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 attorney, Jon Cox, couldn't be instantly reached for comment after the trial.

The Associated Press usually does not 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 conference, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final however not least, it took an unimaginable amount of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I wish to acknowledge the braveness 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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she stated, shortly strolling out of the courtroom.

The judge gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to search out her to determine if she would return and resume her testimony.

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

During the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe may not be capable of testify.

“I think it’s vital that she decided to walk within the room, and he or she additionally decided to stroll out — these were her selections,” Welsh said.

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

“Issues have been going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Positive.’ We bought up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No details had been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and personal particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who incessantly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

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

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

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one who 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 while von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he incessantly 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 hanging the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.