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

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condo after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the intercourse 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 found not guilty of sexual penetration with a international object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was learn, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I recognize your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty might be as high as life in prison, 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 legal professional who eliminated objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as 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 instantly reached for remark after the trial.

The Related Press typically does not establish individuals 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 Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the victim on 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 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 this,” she said, 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 didn't, the choose instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial realizing that Doe might not be capable of testify.

“I think it’s important that she decided to stroll within the room, and he or she also decided to walk out — those were her choices,” Welsh mentioned.

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

“Issues had been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the night. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No particulars were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and private details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who steadily harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “energy within the incorrect palms” used to the “nice 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 stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of regulation 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back 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 “red herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed on 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 whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.