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

The intern advised 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 said the intercourse was consensual.

On 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 international object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I appreciate your consideration ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one year in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty will 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 together with his lawyer who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, couldn't be immediately reached for remark after the trial.

The Associated Press generally does not identify individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman 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 handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to return 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 place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

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

The judge 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 instructed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the defense could not cross-examine her.

During 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 realizing that Doe could not be capable of testify.

“I believe it’s essential that she determined to stroll within the room, and she or he additionally decided to stroll out — those had been her choices,” Welsh said.

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

“Things were going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We got up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No particulars were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who continuously harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy within the fallacious palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she stated, 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 injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional instructed 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 aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam 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 continuously carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.