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 through which the young girl fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the sex was consensual.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, 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 throughout the trial.

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty will be as excessive 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 along with his attorney who removed items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a lower flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, could not be immediately reached for remark after the trial.

The Related Press generally does not identify people 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 conference, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unbelievable amount of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “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 mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

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

The judge 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 decide advised 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.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe may not be able to testify.

“I think it’s important that she determined to walk in the room, and she also determined to stroll out — these were her choices,” Welsh said.

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

“Issues have been going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We received up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No particulars have been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and personal particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy in the mistaken 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 law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson 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 exam testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the bed 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 while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.