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 in which the younger 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 residence after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the intercourse was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I respect your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as high 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 lawyer who eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a decrease flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press typically does not identify individuals who say they have 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 incredible amount of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I need 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, 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 this,” she said, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the judge instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial realizing that Doe could not be able to testify.

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

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his house to “hang around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he stated.

“Things had been going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Sure.’ We received up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the night. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No details had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who regularly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy within the improper palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power 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 several methods, she said, highlighting the testimony of legislation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

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

But von Ehlinger’s attorney informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his side 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 often carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the bed on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.