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 through which the young woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern advised 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 intercourse was consensual.

On 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 guilty of sexual penetration with a overseas object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I appreciate your attention ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as excessive as life in prison, on the decide’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly along with his lawyer who removed items 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 one another on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s lawyer, Jon Cox, could not be instantly reached for remark after the trial.

The Associated Press typically does not identify people 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 dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” 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 started, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” 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 did not, the choose told the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial understanding that Doe may not have the ability to testify.

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

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

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No details were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photo and private particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who regularly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation 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 wrong fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of legislation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one 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 while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out 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 also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from placing the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.