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 in which the young girl fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condo 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 consultant, however he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I admire your consideration ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty will be as excessive 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 together with his lawyer who eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a lower ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the decision.

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

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

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want to acknowledge the courage 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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe said.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she didn't, the decide informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial understanding that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

“I feel it’s important that she determined to walk in the room, and he or she additionally determined to stroll out — these have been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

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

“Issues had been going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Sure.’ We acquired up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the evening. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No particulars have been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and private details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who frequently harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy within the mistaken fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of legislation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Words show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red 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 said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the bed on 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.