Former Idaho lawmaker found responsible 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 through which the young woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his house after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the sex was consensual.

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

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

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty might be as excessive as life in jail, on 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 attorney who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however as soon as they reached a lower flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Related Press usually doesn't identify individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman on 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 but not least, it took an incredible quantity of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts stated. “I need to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming forward.”

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 mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she stated, shortly 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 did not, the choose instructed the jurors they needed 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.

Throughout the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe could not be able to testify.

“I feel it’s important that she determined to stroll in the room, and she or he also determined to walk out — those had been her selections,” Welsh said.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice on 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 well, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Certain.’ We obtained up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No details have been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy within the incorrect arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she said, 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 again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

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