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 by which the younger girl 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 apartment 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 representative, but he later resigned.

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

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the decision 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 surprising circumstances, however I appreciate your attention ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty can 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 along with his legal professional who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press typically does not identify people who say they have 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 Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final however not least, it took an incredible amount of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I need 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 started, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she mentioned, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the judge informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial realizing that Doe might not be capable to testify.

“I feel it’s important that she decided to walk in the room, and she or he additionally determined to walk out — those have been her selections,” Welsh mentioned.

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

“Things have been going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We bought up, held arms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the night. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No particulars have been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who ceaselessly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy in the incorrect fingers” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she stated, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

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

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one who 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 compelled her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had positioned 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 putting the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.