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 younger lady 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 house 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 consultant, but he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I respect your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 yr in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as high as life in jail, at 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 legal professional who removed objects 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 each other on the decision.

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

The Associated Press generally doesn't 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 convention, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Last however not least, it took an incredible amount of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” 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 began, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she stated, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the decide told the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe could not be able to testify.

“I believe it’s necessary that she decided to walk in the room, and she also decided to walk out — those were her choices,” 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 house to “hang around” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he said.

“Issues were going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Certain.’ We obtained up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a question. No details have been made public in regards to 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 identify, photograph and personal particulars about her life had been 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 person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “power in the wrong hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she stated, 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’ present 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 “crimson herrings,” and said 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 mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned 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 putting the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.