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 through 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 condo 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, however he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I admire your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty can be as excessive as life in jail, at 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 lawyer who removed items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press typically does not establish individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable 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 forward.”

Doe testified on the second day of the trial. She haltingly described the moments the alleged assault began, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

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 find her to find out if she would return and resume her testimony.

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

Throughout the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe might not be capable to testify.

“I think it’s important that she determined to stroll in the room, and she additionally determined to stroll out — these had been her choices,” Welsh mentioned.

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

“Things had been going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We got up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the night. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No particulars have been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and personal particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who continuously harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power in the mistaken palms” used to the “nice 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 stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of regulation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Words present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable person who 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 said Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he ceaselessly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at 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 trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.