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 during which the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated 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 guilty Friday of rape. He was found not guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was learn, as he has all through the trial.

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty will be as high as life in prison, on the decide’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 gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the decision.

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

The Related Press usually does not determine individuals who say they have 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 unimaginable quantity of courage for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “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, 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 said, rapidly 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 did not, the choose told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley stated the moment 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 important that she determined to stroll within the room, and he or she additionally determined to walk out — those had been her choices,” Welsh stated.

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

“Things had been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Positive.’ We got up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the evening. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No particulars were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and private details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who incessantly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “energy within the incorrect fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley said.

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

“Words present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam 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 regularly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the mattress 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 trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.