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 during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condominium after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the sex was consensual.

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

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

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost 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 along with his lawyer who removed items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a lower ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, could not be instantly reached for remark after the trial.

The Associated Press typically doesn't determine individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in 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.

“Final however not least, it took an incredible quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts said. “I wish 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 stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she mentioned, 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 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 couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial realizing that Doe could not be capable to testify.

“I feel it’s important that she determined to stroll in the room, and she additionally determined to walk out — these were her decisions,” Welsh said.

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

“Issues were going well, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We bought up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No details have been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photo and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “power within the mistaken fingers” 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 stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she stated, highlighting the testimony of law 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable person who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he continuously carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally 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.