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 in which the younger girl fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the intercourse was consensual.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I admire your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as excessive as life in prison, on the choose’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly along with his legal professional who eliminated objects 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 attorney, Jon Cox, could not be immediately reached for remark after the trial.

The Related Press generally doesn't determine people 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 Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I want to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming forward.”

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, shortly walking 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 advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, 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 figuring out that Doe might not be capable of testify.

“I feel it’s important that she determined to walk within the room, and he or she additionally decided to stroll out — these were her choices,” Welsh stated.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his condo to “hang around” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he said.

“Things had been going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We bought up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No details had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and personal particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who continuously harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy within the fallacious fingers” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy 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 stated, highlighting the testimony of regulation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from striking the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.