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 during which the young 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 house 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 guilty Friday of rape. He was found not guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty could be as excessive as life in prison, on 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 attorney who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a lower floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s attorney, Jon Cox, could not be instantly reached for comment after the trial.

The Associated Press usually doesn't determine people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl 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.

“Last however not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” 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, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to place 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 choose gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to find her to determine if she would return and resume her testimony.

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

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial realizing that Doe may not be capable to testify.

“I feel it’s essential that she decided to walk in the room, and he or she additionally decided to stroll out — these have been her choices,” Welsh stated.

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 elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues were going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the evening. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No particulars have been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and personal particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who often harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “power within the wrong palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power 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 a number of ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of regulation 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 back and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he frequently 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 back of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.