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

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 stated the sex was consensual.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, but he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered responsible Friday of rape. He was discovered 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 advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I appreciate your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty can be as excessive 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 along with his legal professional who eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a decrease floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press typically doesn't establish people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl 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 handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come 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 began, 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 that,” she stated, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the decide instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I think it’s essential that she decided to walk within the room, and she also determined to walk out — these had been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

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

“Things have been going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Certain.’ We got up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No particulars have been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who continuously harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy within the fallacious fingers” 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 stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she mentioned, 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 occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his aspect 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 frequently 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 placing the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.