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 in which the young girl fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern informed 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 mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

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

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

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was learn, as he has all through 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 one yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as excessive as life in prison, on the decide’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 eliminated objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press usually does not establish people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady in 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 handled the case.

“Final but not least, it took an incredible amount of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts said. “I wish 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 place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she did not, the choose told the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial realizing that Doe could not be capable of testify.

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

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condo to “hang out” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Things were going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Positive.’ 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 break for the night. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No details were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photo and personal details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power in the fallacious 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 mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she said, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 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 instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he ceaselessly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from placing the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.