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

The intern informed 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 intercourse was consensual.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, however 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 told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I respect your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty could be as excessive as life in jail, on the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

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

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

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

The Related Press generally does not identify 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 Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I need 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, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she said, rapidly strolling 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 did not, the choose advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe might not have the ability to testify.

“I feel it’s necessary that she determined to stroll within the room, and she or he also determined to stroll out — these have been her choices,” Welsh said.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his house to “hang out” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the night. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No particulars had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photo and private details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who incessantly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power within the fallacious fingers” used to the “great 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 said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she stated, 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.