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

The intern instructed 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.

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, but 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 verdict was learn, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I appreciate your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty could be as excessive as life in prison, at the choose’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 eliminated objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a decrease flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press usually does not establish individuals 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 dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an incredible amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts said. “I need to acknowledge the braveness 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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe said.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she did not, the judge informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe might not be capable to testify.

“I feel it’s important that she determined to stroll in the room, and she or he also decided to walk out — these were her selections,” Welsh mentioned.

During 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 out” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues had been going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Sure.’ We got up, held arms 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 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 became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy within the wrong arms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily 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 several ways, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of regulation 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his facet 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 often carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from placing the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.