Former Idaho lawmaker discovered 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 lady fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

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 intercourse was consensual.

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered guilty 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 Judge Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I recognize your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty can be as excessive as life in jail, on the choose’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly with his attorney who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a lower floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

Von Ehlinger’s attorney, Jon Cox, could not be immediately reached for comment after the trial.

The Related Press generally doesn't establish individuals 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 dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts said. “I need 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, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

The decide 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 advised the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe may not be capable of testify.

“I think it’s important that she decided to stroll in the room, and he or she also decided to stroll out — these had been her choices,” Welsh said.

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

“Things were going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the night. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No particulars had been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who often harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation 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 “power in the mistaken fingers” used to the “great 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 stated, 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 occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage shows lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible person 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 mentioned Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he ceaselessly carried a handgun and had positioned 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 putting the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.