Former Idaho lawmaker discovered 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 younger lady fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

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

At 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 responsible 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 Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I recognize your consideration ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty could 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 with his legal professional who eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press usually does not establish individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl in 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 but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I want 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 began, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

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

The decide 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 decide advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe might not be capable to testify.

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

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly 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 sofa, he mentioned.

“Things have been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she want to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the night. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No details were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who incessantly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

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

“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 law 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his facet 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 while von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from placing the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.