Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 by which the young 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 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 representative, but he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I admire your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty will be as excessive as life in jail, on 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 attorney who eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a lower ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Related Press generally does not determine people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman on 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 dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts said. “I need 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 place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she stated, rapidly strolling 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 did not, the decide advised the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from 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 Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe may not be able to testify.

“I feel it’s essential that she determined to stroll within the room, and he or she additionally decided to stroll out — those had been her selections,” Welsh said.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his condo to “hang out” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Issues were going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Certain.’ We obtained up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No details were made public about 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, photograph and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who ceaselessly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

During 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 bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the bed on 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 while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.