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

The intern instructed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his apartment after the 2 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, but he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I admire your consideration ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty will be as high as life in prison, at the decide’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

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

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however as soon as they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Related Press typically doesn't identify individuals who say they've 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.

“Final however not least, it took an incredible amount of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I want 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 this,” she stated, shortly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the judge instructed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial understanding that Doe might not be capable to testify.

“I think it’s necessary that she decided to walk in the room, and he or she additionally determined to walk out — those had been her selections,” Welsh stated.

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

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 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 requested a question. No details had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who regularly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

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

“He used that energy 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.