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 wherein the young lady fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern told 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 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 found responsible Friday of rape. He was discovered not guilty of sexual penetration with a international object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I recognize your attention ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty might 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 along with his legal professional who removed items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

The Associated Press generally doesn't establish people 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 Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an incredible amount of courage for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish 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 said.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she said, quickly strolling 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 did not, the decide informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

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

“I think it’s essential that she determined to stroll within the room, and he or she additionally determined to stroll out — these were her selections,” Welsh said.

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

“Things had been going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Certain.’ We obtained up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

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

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and personal details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who steadily harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “power within the unsuitable arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“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 law 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 happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible person 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 carry out oral sex, and that she knew he ceaselessly 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 again of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.