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 wherein the younger woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern instructed 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 sex was consensual.

On 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 discovered not guilty of sexual penetration with a overseas object.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Related Press usually doesn't establish 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 however not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts said. “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 began, 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, rapidly walking out of the courtroom.

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

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

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

“I believe it’s vital that she decided to stroll within the room, and she or he also determined to walk out — these were her selections,” Welsh mentioned.

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 condominium to “hang out” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Issues had been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Positive.’ We obtained up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No details have 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 some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photo and personal details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who continuously harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “power within the improper arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy 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 several methods, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 again and getting an damage shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally 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.