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

The intern instructed 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 intercourse was consensual.

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, however he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was found guilty Friday of rape. He was found not guilty of sexual penetration with a overseas object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the decision was learn, as he has all through the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I appreciate your attention ... and onerous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty could be as high as life in jail, on the choose’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly together with his lawyer who eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press convention, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts said. “I want to acknowledge the courage 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 mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

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

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe might not have the ability to testify.

“I believe it’s important that she decided to stroll within the room, and she additionally decided to walk out — these had been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

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 apartment to “hang around” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Things had been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Positive.’ We obtained up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No particulars were made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

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

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy within the fallacious palms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy 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 said, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage shows lack of consent,” Farley stated.

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

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed 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 placing the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.