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 young girl fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condominium after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the intercourse was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I recognize your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty could be as high as life in prison, at the choose’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly together with his legal professional who eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a decrease flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, couldn't be instantly reached for remark after the trial.

The Associated Press usually doesn't determine individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press convention, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I want 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, earlier than 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 that,” she mentioned, rapidly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the judge advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe might not have the ability to testify.

“I feel it’s vital that she decided to stroll in the room, and she additionally determined to walk out — those have been 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 apartment to “hang around” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he stated.

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the night. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No details had been made public about 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 name, photo and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who ceaselessly 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.

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

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, 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.

“Words present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his facet 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 while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he ceaselessly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.