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 wherein the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his apartment 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, however he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was found guilty Friday of rape. He was discovered not responsible of sexual penetration with a international object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden 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 might be as high as life in prison, on the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly along with his attorney who eliminated objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a lower flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press generally does not identify individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman 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 handled the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts said. “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, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she mentioned, shortly strolling out of the courtroom.

The decide 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 choose told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe may not be capable of testify.

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

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

“Things have been going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We got up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No details have 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 some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who steadily harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “energy within the incorrect hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley said.

“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.

“Phrases 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 stated.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable 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 compelled her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.