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

The intern told 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 mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

At 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 discovered not guilty of sexual penetration with a overseas object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I appreciate your attention ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as high 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 legal professional who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however as soon as they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press typically doesn't establish 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 convention, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I need 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 started, earlier than 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, rapidly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the choose told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never 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,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe could not be able to testify.

“I think it’s necessary that she determined to stroll in the room, and she or he additionally decided to walk out — those have been her choices,” Welsh mentioned.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his house to “hang around” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Things have been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Positive.’ We got up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the night. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. 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 some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and personal particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who continuously harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy within the improper arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily 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 methods, she said, highlighting the testimony of law 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible one that 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 stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.