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 during which the younger woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his house after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the intercourse was consensual.

On 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 discovered not guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I respect your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty can be as excessive as life in prison, at 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 legal professional who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a decrease floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another 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 establish individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

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

“Final however not least, it took an unbelievable amount of courage for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish 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, 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 that,” she mentioned, quickly 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 didn't, the judge instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I believe it’s vital that she decided to stroll within the room, and she or he additionally determined to stroll out — these were her selections,” Welsh said.

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

“Issues were going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Positive.’ We obtained up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the night. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a question. No particulars were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to 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 had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who incessantly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “power in the wrong palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

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

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable person who willingly took the stand to share his aspect 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 ceaselessly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the bed on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.