Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 woman 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 condo after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger mentioned the sex was consensual.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, but he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered guilty Friday of rape. He was discovered not responsible of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I respect your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty could be as excessive 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 with his lawyer who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

The Associated Press typically doesn't identify individuals 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.

“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, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she stated, rapidly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the judge instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe might not be capable to testify.

“I feel it’s vital that she decided to stroll in the room, and he or she also determined to stroll out — these have been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

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

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before 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 details were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photograph and private details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who steadily harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power in the improper hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she mentioned, 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 occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally 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.