Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 through which the young lady 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 condo 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 representative, however he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered guilty Friday of rape. He was discovered not guilty 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 Decide Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I respect your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 12 months in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty may be as excessive as life in jail, at 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 attorney who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a decrease floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Associated Press generally doesn't identify individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final however not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want to acknowledge the courage 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 put 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 walking 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 judge advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

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

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

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his apartment to “hang around” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he stated.

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No particulars have been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and private particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power within the incorrect palms” used to the “nice 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 mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Words show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable person who 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 said Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.