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

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

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, however he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was found responsible Friday of rape. He was discovered not guilty 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 Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I admire your consideration ... and onerous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as high as life in prison, at 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, however as soon as they reached a lower floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Related Press usually does not identify individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I need to acknowledge the braveness 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 place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she said, shortly walking 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 did not, the decide informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

During the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe may not have the ability to testify.

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

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

“Issues had been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Positive.’ We obtained up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the night. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No details have been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and personal details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who often harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation 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 flawed palms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she said, 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 happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned 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 stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress at 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 attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.