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

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence after the two 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 representative, but he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I admire your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost 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 legal professional who removed items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press typically doesn't establish people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an incredible quantity of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want to acknowledge the courage that she took in coming forward.”

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 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, shortly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the choose informed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the defense could not cross-examine her.

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

“I feel it’s essential that she decided to stroll within the room, and she or he also decided to walk out — these had been her choices,” Welsh mentioned.

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

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No particulars were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photograph and private details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy in the wrong arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical 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 ways, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of regulation 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 occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from striking the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.